In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff—appointed by Donald Trump to lead Middle East peace efforts—revealed he felt “betrayed” after an Israeli strike against Hamas negotiators in Qatar. The air-raid on September 9 in Doha came at a delicate moment, just as Doha, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey were working together to broker a cease-fire in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
- Strike Halts Momentum and Injects Distrust
- The Strategic Role of Qatar and the Mediation Triad
- U.S. Engagement and the Peace Framework
- Why This Matters
- Challenges
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Who is Steve Witkoff?
- Why did Steve Witkoff feel “betrayed”?
- When did the Israeli strike in Qatar occur?
- What was the impact of the strike on peace talks?
- What role did Qatar play in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations?
- How did the United States react to the Israeli strike?
- What was Israel’s justification for the strike?
- Conclusion
Witkoff says he learned of the strike only the morning after it occurred. Because Qatar has been one of Washington’s key allies and mediation hubs in the region, the incident sent shock-waves through the indirect negotiations aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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Strike Halts Momentum and Injects Distrust
According to Witkoff, the strike not only interrupted the negotiation momentum but also “had a metastasising effect” on diplomatic trust. With the Qataris losing confidence in the process, Hamas went off-grid. He explains: “We had lost the confidence of the Qataris. And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them.”
The timing was especially problematic: the Israeli strike effectively froze the channel of indirect talks at the very moment when progress seemed within reach.
The Strategic Role of Qatar and the Mediation Triad
Qatar plays a dual role: as an important U.S. regional partner and as a mediator that hosts back-channel communications between Israel, Hamas and their intermediaries. With Qatar alongside Egypt and Turkey serving as the trilateral mediation platform, any breakdown in trust threatened to derail the entire process.
Witkoff’s observation underscores the fragile nature of such diplomatic frameworks: once mediation partners lose faith, the leverage evaporates—and so does the possibility of constructive engagement.
U.S. Engagement and the Peace Framework
In the wake of the strike, the U.S. ramped up involvement. President Trump’s team presented a 20-point peace proposal calling for hostage and prisoner exchanges, cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access and a path toward a more durable truce. Israeli and Hamas negotiators ultimately accepted the proposal, according to public statements.
Under growing pressure during a White House visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally called Qatar’s prime minister to apologise, indicating Washington’s push to repair relations with the mediator.
Why This Matters
Diplomatic leverage lost: When a mediator—Qatar in this case—feels sidelined or victimised by actions of one party, that party cedes critical influence.
Negotiation momentum vulnerable: A single strike, if poorly timed, can shut down back-channel talks, particularly when the framework requires indirect contact with groups operating underground.
Allies’ perception of reliability: The U.S. counted on Qatar to remain engaged; the strike sent the message that Israel might act independently of its mediation commitments, which in turn undermines trust in all parties, including the U.S.
Challenges
Despite the acceptance of the 20-point plan, significant challenges remain. The agreement needs implementation: hostages must be released, prisoners freed, and humanitarian corridors established. Meanwhile, the broader question of a lasting cease-fire and future governance in Gaza remains unresolved.
Witkoff holds the view that unless mediators remain engaged and credible, the process will side-track. The very dynamic he warns about is that mediation platforms work only when all parties believe the system holds value—and when actions align with the process.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Steve Witkoff?
Steve Witkoff is a U.S. envoy and President Donald Trump’s chief negotiator for the Middle East. He played a key role in efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Why did Steve Witkoff feel “betrayed”?
Witkoff said he felt “betrayed” after learning that Israel launched an airstrike targeting Hamas negotiators in Qatar without prior coordination with the U.S. The move undermined ongoing ceasefire negotiations and damaged trust between mediators.
When did the Israeli strike in Qatar occur?
The airstrike took place on September 9 in Doha, Qatar, during indirect talks aimed at ending the Gaza war.
What was the impact of the strike on peace talks?
The strike halted the indirect negotiation process, caused Hamas to go underground, and led Qatar to lose confidence in the mediation effort. This setback made it extremely difficult to reestablish contact and continue peace discussions.
What role did Qatar play in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations?
Qatar served as a key mediator and U.S. ally, facilitating communication between Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and Turkey. Its neutral diplomatic role was essential in brokering a peace framework.
How did the United States react to the Israeli strike?
The U.S. expressed frustration and disappointment over the uncoordinated action. Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who worked together on the peace deal, both described feeling “betrayed” because the strike jeopardized months of negotiation efforts.
What was Israel’s justification for the strike?
According to reports, the decision to conduct the airstrike came from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though details of the target and rationale remain limited. It was viewed by U.S. negotiators as an unnecessary escalation at a critical time.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff’s sense of betrayal over Israel’s unexpected strike on Hamas in Qatar underscores the fragility of Middle East diplomacy. The incident not only disrupted critical peace negotiations but also highlighted how sudden military actions can unravel months of careful mediation. Qatar’s role as a trusted U.S. ally and mediator was shaken, while Washington faced the challenge of rebuilding confidence among regional partners. The eventual apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and renewed dialogue signaled a step toward restoring diplomatic balance, yet the episode remains a cautionary tale about coordination, communication, and mutual respect among allies.
