Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed brokering a fragile deal between Israel and Hamas and rejected allegations that Israeli forces had committed genocide in Gaza during an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday.
Kushner told CBS’ Lesley Stahl that he asked an Israeli soldier where the Palestinians he saw were going.
Yes, but: Both Kushner and Witkoff both firmly rejected allegations that the Israeli military has committed genocide in Gaza.
On the hostages’ release and the ceasefire deal, Kushner said: “We wanted the hostages to come out.
More from Axios: U.S. scrambles to save Gaza peace deal amid new clashes Vance plans Israel visit Tuesday to push Gaza deal implementation Scoop: Tony Blair and Jared Kushner brief Trump on Gaza post-war plans Scoop: Direct meeting between Trump envoys and Hamas leaders sealed Gaza deal Editor’s note: This story has been updated with further details from the interview.
During an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner denied claims that Israeli forces had committed genocide in Gaza and talked about negotiating a precarious agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The big picture: The extensive interview with President Trump’s envoys, which coincides with new clashes between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, also touched on Kushner and Witkoff’s possible conflicts of interest due to worries about their business dealings with Gulf states and Qatar’s pivotal role in the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
What they are saying:.
When Kushner visited Gaza after the ceasefire was implemented, he said the place “looked almost like a nuclear bomb had been set off.”. “.
Kushner told Lesley Stahl of CBS that he saw Palestinians and asked an Israeli soldier where they were going.
“I’m scanning my surroundings. All of these are ruins. And they responded, “Well, they’re going to pitch a tent on their plot and return to the areas where their destroyed home was.”. “And you think, ‘They really have nowhere else to go,’ so it’s really sad,” he said.
Yes, but: Kushner and Witkoff both categorically denied claims that the Israeli military has carried out genocide in Gaza.
Without a doubt not, Witkoff replied. “No, no, a war was in progress. “..”.
Regarding the allegations of conflicts of interest, Stahl pointed out that it seemed difficult to distinguish between their commercial activities with Gulf states and their actions “in terms of foreign policy and benefiting financially” from the Middle East.
No one had brought up any instances in which he or Witkoff had “pursued any policies or done anything that have not been in the interest” of the United States, according to Kushner. S. . Stahl inquired about the impression it evoked.
Kushner asserted that “we have to focus on the facts and not spend as much time focused on perception.”. Doing good is why we are here. These tasks are not feasible.
And since this is crucial, I’ve offered my time to assist Steve and the president in their efforts to move things along. After that, however, neither Steve nor I will be involved in contract awards or determining who conducts business in Gaza. “,”.
In response to Witkoff’s statement that he is “not in business anymore,” Stahl pointed out that his family is.
“However, I’ve sold off. I don’t get paid like Jared does, and I cover all of my own costs,” Witkoff stated.
Stahl insisted that the issue had grown to be one, and Kushner responded, “What people refer to as conflicts of interest, Steve and I refer to as our global experience and trusted relationships.
“The agreement that we were able to assist in completing, which resulted in the release of these hostages, would not have happened if Steve and I had not developed these close relationships. “.”.
Regarding the ceasefire agreement and the hostages’ release, Kushner stated: “We wanted the hostages to come out. We desired an actual ceasefire that would be respected by both parties.
“We needed a way to help people, and we had to come up with all these complicated words to deal with the word games that everyone in that area has been playing for the past fifty years. The goal was desired by both parties; we simply had to figure out how to make it happen. “.”.
Upon the release of the hostages, Witkoff claimed to be “elated”.
Axios has more.
U. S. tries to save the peace agreement for Gaza in the face of fresh conflicts.
Vance arranges for Israel to visit on Tuesday in order to promote the implementation of the Gaza deal.
Scoop: Jared Kushner and Tony Blair brief Trump on post-war plans for Gaza.
Scoop: The Gaza deal was finalized when Trump envoys met directly with Hamas leaders.
Editor’s note: More information from the interview has been added to this story.
