Kushner Says U.S. Leveraged Israel’s Doha Strike to Push Gaza Ceasefire

Jared Kushner, senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, told audiences in Kyiv and at the Yalta European Strategy conference that the Israeli Air Force’s September 9, 2025 strike on a building in Doha—intended to hit senior Hamas leaders—failed as a military operation and left Israel “globally isolated.” He argued that the United States deliberately used that isolation to pressure Israel into accepting the U.S.–backed cease-fire agreement signed later that month, which secured the release of 48 hostages.

YnetNewsThe Jerusalem Post

The operation targeted a meeting of Hamas officials in Qatar’s capital. While senior Hamas figures survived, several Israeli security personnel were killed. The strike generated widespread international criticism and, according to Kushner, isolated Israel diplomatically. One month later, Israel and Hamas signed a cease-fire that ended active hostilities and initiated a roadmap for Gaza’s future governance and demilitarization.

YnetNewsThe Jerusalem Post

Kushner emphasized that the diplomatic opening would not have succeeded without extensive pre-existing U.S. groundwork. He described the U.S. He also linked the cease-fire to the establishment of a new Gaza governing body that will take over once demilitarization advances.

YnetNews

• “Israel did the strike in Doha, which was a terrible thing,” — Jared Kushner

The Jerusalem Post

• “Ultimately, it turned out to be great for them; it turned out to be great for the people of Gaza, because now we have a new government there that's obviously looking to take over soon once we advance on the demilitarization.” — Jared Kushner

YnetNews

• “We had to both find the opening in order to put in place,” — Jared Kushner

The Jerusalem Post

• “Today, they're quite happy with [the agreement], but at the time, they were uncomfortable with what we were pushing them to do,” — Jared Kushner

YnetNews

• “I think we agree with them on the end state,” — Jared Kushner

YnetNews