Kushner: “We Used the Doha Strike” to Pressure Israel Toward a Deal

Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, revealed behind-the-scenes details of the diplomatic contacts surrounding the war in Gaza. Speaking remotely at the “European Yalta Strategy” conference, in remarks published by the independent news site Clash Report, he described how the Israeli strike in Doha became a pressure tool for the U.S. administration.

Kushner sharply criticized the operation in Qatar: “Israel carried out the strike in Doha, and it was a terrible thing.” He said the operation not only failed to achieve its goal, but also had significant diplomatic consequences: “It was a failure as a military operation, and it led to Israel becoming globally isolated.”

According to Kushner, Washington saw the situation as an opportunity to advance an agreement: “We used that dynamic to push them toward a deal.” He added that the American pressure initially prompted reservations in Jerusalem: “At the time, they felt some discomfort with what we were pushing them to do.”

Still, Kushner argued that, in the end, the move benefited Israel: “Ultimately, it turned out to be a great thing for them, and today they are very happy about it.” He added, “It turned out to be a great thing for the people of Gaza as well.”

The strike Kushner referred to, dubbed “Operation Summit of Fire,” was carried out on September 9, 2025, against a gathering of senior Hamas officials in Doha. At the time of the airstrike, the organization’s leaders were discussing an American proposal for a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.