Witkoff Opens Up
Witkoff: “I Don’t Believe Netanyahu Delayed the Hostage Release for Personal Gain”
In a rare joint interview, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, dubbed “The Peacemakers” by CBS’s 60 Minutes, reveal the behind-the-scenes drama of the Gaza ceasefire deal, from the shock of the Doha strike to their emotional visit to the Strip.
In a rare double interview aired on CBS’s 60 Minutes, real estate developer Steve Witkoff and former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner described moments of shock and betrayal following the Israeli strike in Doha, Qatar’s capital, as well as their visit to Gaza, which they said left a lasting impression.
Witkoff and Kushner told veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl that the experience of seeing Israeli hostages freed filled them with “deep joy and relief.”
Promotional clips for the interview had circulated for several days prior to broadcast, highlighting the pair’s sense of betrayal over the Doha incident. They revealed that President Donald Trump believed Israel was losing control of the situation, an assessment that framed much of the continued discussion during the interview.
Witkoff and Kushner are scheduled to arrive in Israel again on Monday, as part of an ongoing effort to ensure the ceasefire holds and to advance the agreement’s second phase.
The interview was recorded just days before Hamas violated the ceasefire with an anti-tank attack on Israeli forces, yet much of it remains strikingly relevant. When asked whether Hamas was honoring the agreement, Kushner responded:
“This is the Middle East, everyone is always complaining. From what we’ve seen, based on information passed through mediators, Hamas appears to be trying to respect the deal.”
Witkoff, who has emerged as a close confidant of Trump throughout the peace efforts, rejected claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the hostage release for political reasons.
“I don’t believe Netanyahu acted out of personal interest,” he said. “Everyone in the room wanted those hostages home.”
The CBS feature sheds light on the complex interplay between American mediation, Israeli decision-making, and regional pressures as both nations attempt to maintain a fragile calm in Gaza.