Trump Praises Kushner and Witcoff for Gaza Efforts

U.S. President Donald Trump lauded his envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, for their diplomatic work in the Gaza Strip, attributing the return of hostages and a reduction in fighting to their efforts. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, "They are doing a great job. Look at Gaza as an example, we got all the hostages back." He added, "You know, people forget, there's almost no fighting in Gaza. Hamas is ready to give up its weapons now. They did an amazing job, and no one could have done the job they did."

Trump's remarks followed a statement by Jared Kushner, who claimed the U.S. administration leveraged Israel's international isolation following an attack in Doha approximately a year prior to pressure Israel into an ceasefire agreement in Gaza. "We used Israel's international isolation after the attack in Doha to push them for a deal in Gaza," Kushner said, describing the Israeli strike in Qatar's capital as "a terrible thing" that militarily failed and isolated Israel. He elaborated that the U.S. exploited this political vulnerability to advance a deal with Hamas, noting that while Israel felt uncomfortable with the pressure at the time, they are now pleased with the outcome.

Kushner revealed that the attack he referred to occurred about a year ago when the Israeli Air Force struck a building in Doha where Hamas leadership was meeting to discuss an American ceasefire proposal. Although senior Hamas officials survived, a ceasefire agreement was signed the following month, leading to the release of 48 hostages, both living and deceased. Kushner deemed the agreement an excellent move for both Israel and the residents of Gaza, and predicted the establishment of a new governing body in Gaza soon, following progress in disarming the Strip.

The Likud party responded to Kushner's comments, stating, "The Prime Minister's decision to enter the IDF into Gaza City and attack Hamas leaders in Qatar, along with President Trump's great pressure, are what led Hamas to remove its demands and agree to release all remaining hostages in Gaza."