The New York Times sheds light on the special role of Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in achieving the historic agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S. newspaper’s report begins by describing that “last Friday, when Jared Kushner learned that Hamas would begin negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages, he was answering phone calls at his mansion, located on an artificial island north of Miami. He got into his car and drove twenty minutes to another mansion — that of billionaire Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy for Middle East peace.

In those critical moments, the center of diplomatic power for the Trump administration was not in Washington, but in one of Florida’s wealthiest areas.”

The NYT emphasizes that for both Kushner and Witkoff their main profession was real estate development, and recounts that “the two began working to create a command center where they made and received calls from interested parties, including an impatient president and members of the Israeli government’s cabinet.”

According to the report, when Kushner learned of Hamas’s first reaction to Trump’s plan — as presented to Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House — he focused on the part stating that the hostages could soon return to their homeland.

Closing the deal:
“Steve and I told Israel, ‘we encourage you to be positive too,’” Kushner said.

A few hours later, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office announced it would agree to start the first phase of Trump’s peace plan. On Thursday, the Israeli government approved the deal, shortly after Kushner and Witkoff addressed the Israeli cabinet where the agreement was discussed.

“Negotiation is constant”
The NYT points out that in his effort to end the war between Israel and Hamas, Trump did not turn to experienced diplomats but instead relied on his son-in-law to advance the negotiations, leveraging Kushner’s diplomatic ties built during his tenure as a White House advisor.

As the New York Times recalls, Kushner was the main architect of the Abraham Accords — a series of diplomatic agreements normalizing relations between Israel and three Arab states.

The report states that while traveling to Egypt, Kushner and Witkoff planned strategies for how the agreement might collapse and what could be done to save it, with Kushner reportedly drafting plans and Witkoff handling the calls.

“In New York real estate, you’re constantly negotiating. But there’s a lot to negotiate before signing a contract and investing your money. I think we’re used to very complex deals that are dynamic and involve complicated personalities,” Kushner has described.

“Jared is very smart”
With a background in New York’s hard-nosed real estate world, Kushner and Witkoff see themselves as negotiators who work for the ultimate negotiator.

Their approach is simple: first reach an agreement, then discuss the details. They have spent much of the past weeks traveling together — in Miami, across the country, and now around the world — seeking peace. Gaza’s reconstruction is also a major focus of their efforts.

“The experience Steve and I have as negotiators is that you must understand people. You must be able to figure out what they really want and then see who you think is playing games and how much room you have to push things. Many of those who do this are history professors because they have great experience, or diplomats. Being a negotiator is different — it’s a different sport,” Kushner explains.

On possible conflicts of interest:
The White House has stated there is no issue with Kushner’s private business activities while negotiating peace, despite questions about whether his company, Affinity Partners — which is funded almost entirely by foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — creates conflicts.

His relationship with Trump:
Kushner has never truly left the White House. He served as a senior advisor without pay during Trump’s first term, alongside his wife Ivanka. Both faced criticism from Democrats for lacking moderation, especially on immigration issues.

Kushner focused on prison reform and normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. Since leaving the White House, his private equity firm has profited from these connections. His father, Charles Kushner — now U.S. ambassador to France — was pardoned by Trump for tax evasion and retaliation against a federal witness, among other offenses.

Michael Herzog, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., said Kushner’s Middle East relationships and family ties made him particularly valuable in negotiations: “I believe Jared played a role in convincing President Trump, along with Steve Witkoff, to launch this initiative. It was the right moment. Nobody here gave him much chance, but he succeeded.”

Ivanka Trump: “I am proud”
On Friday morning, Ivanka Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter) thanking her father for “real hope for lasting peace in a region that has known so much pain and sorrow,” and expressing pride in her husband Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their tireless work:

“I am very proud of my husband @jaredkushner and Steve Witkoff, whose vision and perseverance remind us that even in the darkest moments, progress is possible. Their tireless work has given new hope to families dreaming of safety, dignity, and opportunity.”

Her post closed with: “I will not fully celebrate until all hostages return and peace prevails. But I hold hope that one day we will dance again — and perhaps even together. I pray for unity and lasting peace.”