Amid the Storm

Trump: "We Got All the Hostages Back"

President credits Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for diplomatic success in Gaza, says Hamas ready to surrender weapons • Comments made aboard Air Force One amid controversy over Kushner's remarks

Gila Isaacson

SEP 14, 2026 07:26

2 min read

President Donald Trump praised his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their diplomatic efforts in the Gaza Strip, crediting them with securing the return of all the hostages. The president made the remarks during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One.

"They're doing a great job. Look at Gaza as an example – we got all the hostages back," Trump said. "You know, people forget, there's almost no fighting in Gaza. Hamas is now ready to give up their weapons. They did an amazing job, and nobody could have done the job they did."

Trump's comments came against the backdrop of controversial remarks by Kushner, who said: "We took advantage of Israel's international isolation after the Doha strike to push them into a Gaza deal."

"We used that dynamic to push them into the deal. At the time they felt very uncomfortable with the things we pressed them to accept, but today they're very happy with it," Kushner added.

The Likud party responded to Kushner's statements, asserting that it was the prime minister's decision to enter Gaza City and strike Hamas leaders in Qatar, combined with strong pressure from President Trump, that forced Hamas to drop its demands and agree to release all remaining hostages in Gaza.

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