Kushner says Qatar strike fallout pushed Gaza deal; Israel rejects account

Jared Kushner said the September 9, 2025 Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha was an unsuccessful military operation that increased Israel’s international isolation, allowing President Trump’s administration to pressure Israel into accepting a Gaza agreement. He said Israel initially resisted the proposal but later viewed the resulting ceasefire positively; the agreement led to the release of 48 hostages and included plans for Israeli withdrawal, expanded humanitarian aid, Palestinian administration of Gaza and reconstruction. Israeli officials rejected Kushner’s account, arguing instead that the strike demonstrated Israel’s willingness to pursue Hamas leaders anywhere and helped compel the group to accept the hostage deal. Reports citing a Hamas investigation said the targeted leaders survived because they had moved to another building shortly before the attack, although several security personnel and Hamas members were killed. Kushner also said a future Gaza governing authority would assume control after progress on demilitarization, while Israeli officials maintained that there would be no immunity for those responsible for attacks on Israelis.