As President Donald Trump expressed optimism this week regarding the potential for peace in Gaza, he highlighted the pivotal role of Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and former senior adviser, as a beacon of hope. “I have Jared,” Trump stated confidently. “Find anybody more capable. And we have the A-plus team working on it.” This week, Kushner served as the U.S. envoy to peace negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he, alongside Trump's current Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a crucial role in finalizing an agreement for the release of hostages from Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Trump reportedly spent several hours on the phone with Kushner and Witkoff both before and after announcing the deal, according to U.S. officials. After their discussions in Egypt, the duo traveled to Israel to present the finalized plan to Israel’s Cabinet, which approved it on Thursday evening. A senior U.S. official disclosed that Kushner and Witkoff operated on a mere five hours of sleep during this critical period, emphasizing the urgency and importance of their mission.
As negotiations commenced on Wednesday, footage from the Red Sea resort depicted a smiling Kushner, dressed in a navy blue suit and black aviator sunglasses, arriving in a black SUV with Witkoff. By the evening, the negotiators achieved what the senior official termed “very serious breakthroughs” on several outstanding issues. However, key details remain unresolved, such as whether Hamas will disarm and the future governance of Gaza.
According to another White House official, Kushner is anticipated to maintain a significant presence in the next stages of the negotiations. “There are still many ways this can go wrong,” the senior U.S. official cautioned during a call with reporters. “We’re committed to ensuring everyone fulfills their obligations and that any misunderstandings are swiftly addressed. Our goal is to achieve a withdrawal, a ceasefire, and the safe return of hostages before moving on to the next phase of governance in Gaza.”
Officials from the Trump administration, along with his allies, have lauded Kushner and Witkoff for successfully navigating the first phase of the agreement. An ally noted that Kushner’s established relationships with Arab leaders helped ease the negotiation process. "I put Jared there because he’s a very smart person, and he knows the region, knows the people, knows a lot of the players,” Trump remarked during a Cabinet meeting.
Kushner's current envoy assignment marks a return to public diplomacy after he chose not to take on a formal role in Trump's second administration. Since leaving Washington, he has primarily operated behind the scenes, advising on Middle Eastern diplomacy and formulating a comprehensive 20-point peace plan. Once the Gaza deal is finalized, Kushner intends to revert to his informal advisory role, having previously exited the political arena following Trump’s 2020 election loss.
His business endeavors have drawn scrutiny, particularly his establishment of Affinity Partners, an investment fund supported by major Gulf sovereign wealth funds. Notably, Kushner’s firm recently partnered with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for a substantial $55 billion acquisition of video game company Electronic Arts, marking the largest leveraged buyout in history. This blend of business and diplomatic interests reflects Trump's preferred governance style in his second term, relying on trusted associates while managing complex financial considerations.
The recent inquiries into Kushner’s dual roles prompted White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to defend him vigorously, labeling the suggestion of impropriety as “despicable.” She emphasized Kushner’s expertise and respected status in the region, asserting that his contributions to the peace negotiations are both noble and vital for securing global peace.
Despite potential conflicts, Kushner remains adamant that achieving peace between Israel and Hamas supersedes his business interests in the region. According to a White House official, Kushner has expressed that his legacy will be defined by the peace deals he brokered rather than his business ventures.
Those within the Trump administration are not surprised by Kushner’s involvement in the current peace talks, given his longstanding influence over the president. His father, Charles Kushner, serves as Trump’s ambassador to France, and many of Trump’s nominees have referenced Kushner’s 2022 book to understand Middle Eastern dynamics. Kushner's close relationship with Witkoff, a fellow real estate developer and long-time Trump associate, has further solidified his role in the ongoing negotiations.
Sources reveal that Kushner and Witkoff have maintained regular communication, often exchanging advice on navigating relationships with Arab leaders. Witkoff has even referred to Kushner as one of his "rabbis" in these efforts. Despite his quieter background presence, Kushner has consistently remained engaged with critical discussions related to the Middle East and the ongoing war.
While a preliminary agreement has been reached, experts caution that the next phases of negotiations will be significantly more challenging. David Schenker, a former assistant secretary of state for Middle East issues during Trump’s first term, remarked that the subsequent 15 points in the peace plan will require intensive engagement from Washington and strategic pressure to ensure successful implementation.
In the lead-up to these negotiations, Kushner has also collaborated with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to develop a comprehensive post-war plan for Gaza. Their relationship, forged during the first Trump administration, has focused on input from regional players to form a cohesive strategy. The recent escalation of conflict, specifically a targeted Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, has accelerated these discussions, prompting a unified effort to conclude hostilities and address the aftermath.
As Kushner and Witkoff lead the charge in the ongoing peace negotiations, their established relationships with both Arab and Israeli leaders provide a critical foundation for potential progress. The international community remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that while the first phase has been navigated, substantial work lies ahead to secure a lasting peace in Gaza. Kushner’s active involvement is seen as essential not only for immediate results but also for the broader vision of stability and governance in the region.
