Trump Envoys Express Feeling of Betrayal Amid Israeli Strikes

President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, expressed feelings of betrayal following Israeli airstrikes in Qatar that targeted senior Hamas leaders during ongoing negotiations. In an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Witkoff described their reaction to the strikes on September 9, stating, “I think both Jared and I felt a little bit betrayed.”

Kushner elaborated on Trump’s response to the incident, suggesting that there was concern over the Israeli actions. He stated, “I think he felt like the Israelis were getting a little bit out of control in what they were doing, and that it was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests.”

The airstrikes, conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), were aimed at leaders who have been instrumental in orchestrating operations for Hamas. According to IDF statements, these individuals were directly responsible for the October 7, 2023Khalil al-Hayya, later meeting with Witkoff and Kushner in Egypt to finalize a ceasefire deal that went into effect on October 10, 2023. Under the terms of this agreement, all 20 hostages held in Gaza were returned to Israel, although 18 bodies of those who died remained unreturned.

The complexities of the negotiations and the impact of the Israeli actions illustrate the fragile nature of diplomatic efforts in the region. The full interview with Witkoff and Kushner is set to air on Sunday, providing further insights into their experiences and perspectives during a tumultuous period in Middle Eastern politics.