Behind the Scenes of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: Insights from Trump’s Envoys

Title: Behind the Ceasefire: Kushner and Witkoff Share Insights on Israel-Hamas Negotiations

In a revealing interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East special envoy, opened up about the intricate negotiations that led to the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Their insights shed light on the delicate balance of diplomacy and human connection that characterized these high-stakes discussions.

The duo, returning to Israel this week, emphasized that a pivotal moment in the negotiations was convincing Hamas that retaining hostages was more of a liability than an asset. “We had to make it clear that Israel would not resume hostilities after the hostages were returned,” Witkoff explained to host Lesley Stahl.

Breaking with long-standing diplomatic protocol, Trump authorized Kushner and Witkoff to engage directly with Hamas. Their discussions took place in Egypt, where they met with Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator. Witkoff recounted a poignant moment of connection with al-Hayya, as both men shared the pain of losing their sons—Witkoff’s to an overdose in 2011 and al-Hayya’s to an Israeli strike last month. “It turned from a negotiation with a terrorist group to seeing two human beings, kind of showing a vulnerability with each other,” Witkoff remarked.

The emotional weight of the negotiations was palpable, with Witkoff recalling a moment of unity when Israelis and Qataris embraced upon reaching the agreement. “Absolutely, and I thought to myself, I wish the world could’ve seen it,” he said.

Following the ceasefire, Kushner and Witkoff visited Gaza, describing the devastation they witnessed. “It looked almost like a nuclear bomb had been set off in that area … and it’s very sad because you think to yourself, they really have nowhere else to go,” Kushner lamented.

Despite the destruction, both men refrained from labeling the conflict as genocide. “Absolutely not, no,” Witkoff asserted. “There was a war being fought.”

Looking ahead, Kushner emphasized the importance of integrating Israel with the broader Middle East, stating, “If you want to integrate Israel with the broader Middle East, you have to find a way to help the Palestinian people thrive and do better.”

As the region grapples with the aftermath of conflict, the insights shared by Kushner and Witkoff offer a glimpse into the complexities of peace negotiations and the human stories that lie at their heart.