US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised his envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their diplomatic efforts in Gaza, pointing to the return of the hostages and reduced fighting in the territory.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about the work of Kushner and Witkoff, who have also been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
“They’ve done a great job. Look at Gaza for an example. We got all the hostages back," Trump replied.
He added, “You know, people forget, there's not a lot of fighting in Gaza. Hamas is now willing to give up their weapons. They’ve done an incredible job. Nobody could’ve done the job they did."
Trump's comments came after Kushner described the diplomatic circumstances that helped the administration advance a Gaza agreement. Speaking remotely Sunday at the Yalta European Strategy conference, Kushner said the international fallout from Israel's September 2025 strike in Qatar was used by the Trump administration as leverage in its efforts to persuade Israel to accept an agreement ending the war.
The September 9, 2025 operation in Doha targeted senior Hamas officials who were meeting to discuss a US ceasefire proposal. The Hamas leaders survived the strike, although several security personnel were killed.
Kushner said the failure to eliminate the Hamas leadership targeted in the operation contributed to increased international pressure on Israel and created an opening for the US administration to push its proposed agreement.
A month later, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement that led to the release of 48 hostages, including both living hostages and the bodies of hostages who had been murdered in captivity.
According to Kushner, Israeli officials were initially uneasy about the terms being promoted by the Trump administration but eventually became more comfortable with the agreement.
“Today, they're quite happy with [the agreement], but at the time, they were uncomfortable with what we were pushing them to do," he said.
“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."
Kushner has also spoken about obstacles to implementing the administration's broader plans for Gaza. Last week, he said Israel's upcoming election campaign was making it more difficult to advance the next phase of the plan.
“I think we agree with them on the end state," Kushner said of Israel. “They just have a crazy election and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards but we’re very determined and we’re working through these things."
The administration's next steps include creating a new governing structure in Gaza and advancing the territory's demilitarization.
Hamas has previously rejected demands for complete disarmament. Kushner reportedly met last month with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and warned that any violation of the Trump plan or attempt to conceal weapons would immediately end the diplomatic process and leave Israel free to take military action.
Hamas leaders have reportedly assured mediators that they will carry out all 20 provisions of the proposed framework, including the clauses requiring disarmament and demilitarization.