Jared Kushner, son-in-law and senior adviser to United States President Donald Trump, revealed on Sunday during an address in Ukraine that the American administration capitalized on the diplomatic fallout and international outcry triggered by Israel’s airstrike in Doha roughly a year ago to exert heavy leverage on Jerusalem, ultimately compelling the signing of the hostage and ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
2+Addressing the operation, Kushner labeled the long-range strike an operational misstep, offering blunt criticism: “Israel carried out the strike in Doha, which was a terrible thing. It clearly did not succeed as a military operation, and it resulted in Israel being globally isolated.”
Kushner openly acknowledged that decision-makers in Washington recognized the intense diplomatic squeeze surrounding the raid as an opening, using it as direct leverage against the Israeli leadership: “We used that dynamic to push them into a deal that they are quite happy with today. At the time, they were a bit uncomfortable with what we pushed them to do.”
2+According to Kushner, the heavy-handed pressure applied by Washington during those pivotal hours ultimately validated itself: “In the end, it turned out to be a great thing for them, and it turned out to be a great thing for the people of Gaza, because now we have a new administration there,” Kushner said, noting that the newly formed governing framework is slated to assume broader authority down the road “once we move forward with demilitarization.” He underscored that extensive behind-the-scenes preparation made the diplomatic outcome possible: “We needed to find the opportunity to make it happen, but if we hadn’t done all the groundwork beforehand, when the window opened, nothing would have materialized.”
The targeted strike in question was launched by Israeli Air Force jets against the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization in the Qatari capital of Doha while the officials were reviewing President Trump’s framework proposal. Channel 14 military correspondent Hallel Bitton Rosen reported at the time that approximately 10 fighter jets carried out the mission roughly 1,800 kilometers from Israeli airspace, deploying over 10 precision-guided munitions that struck the target compound.
2+Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the operational decision was reached via complete consensus across the political and security establishment in the wake of lethal terror attacks. The prime minister clarified in an English statement that the strike was an entirely autonomous Israeli undertaking, carried out under its sole initiative and responsibility.
While Israeli intelligence estimated that at least six senior figures were neutralized—including the son of Khalil al-Hayya and his chief of staff—foreign media reports contended that senior leaders survived the assassination attempt, claiming the strike primarily killed perimeter security guards. The deep raid on Qatari soil sparked international uproar, prompted Doha to temporarily suspend its mediation efforts, and generated diplomatic friction for Israel—which Kushner now confirms was actively utilized by Washington as leverage to push the deal across the finish line.