On September 9, President Donald Trump faced an unforeseen diplomatic challenge when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized a surprise military strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar. This development caught the White House, including Trump's top aides Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, completely off guard, as it occurred merely a day after U.S. negotiations with Hamas.
The airstrikes targeted key Hamas negotiators in Doha, leading to a significant setback in peace talks that had been progressing under U.S. auspices. Steve Witkoff shared on CBS's "60 Minutes" that the administration was blindsided by the attack, which not only strained the longstanding relationship between President Trump and Netanyahu but also jeopardized the trust of pivotal regional partners.
The move by Israel marked a departure from its historically cautious stance regarding military operations in Qatar, a country with which President Trump had fostered increasingly warm relations. Notably, just months prior to the incident, Trump had accepted a $400 million luxury Boeing 747 jet from the Qatari government, and several of his associates, including Kushner, maintained business connections to the Gulf state.
Amidst the unfolding chaos, President Trump took to Truth Social to vent his frustration, explicitly stating that he had directed Witkoff to warn the Qataris about the impending attack, but the information was relayed too late to prevent it. The President emphasized Qatar's status as a valued ally and called for an immediate end to the hostilities.
Despite the turbulence, the Trump administration managed to broker a new 20-point peace plan, culminating in a signing ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13. This agreement, which concluded the two-year Gaza war, was celebrated as a significant diplomatic victory, reuniting families separated since Hamas's 2023 terror attack.
However, the peace remains fragile, as evidenced by disturbing reports of Hamas executing Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. Kushner, speaking to "60 Minutes," remarked on the brutality of Hamas and underscored the importance of establishing a sustainable alternative for Gaza's future.
This incident not only represents a pivotal moment in the Middle East's delicate balance of power but also underscores the complexities of international diplomacy and alliance management for the Trump administration.
