The Dealmakers | Sunday on 60 Minutes

President Donald Trump's team behind the recent Israel-Hamas peace deal are being scrutinized for their unorthodox methods, which some critics argue put undue pressure on both parties.

At the heart of this agreement are two key figures: Jared Kushner, a former senior advisor to President Trump, and Steve Witkoff, a seasoned real estate developer. According to sources close to the negotiations, both men played pivotal roles in brokering a deal that has been hailed as historic by some, but also raises questions about the motivations behind it.

The story of how Kushner and Witkoff brought together the Israeli and Palestinian sides is one of intense backchanneling, late-night phone calls, and clandestine meetings. The two men are said to have traveled extensively, often in secret, to meet with leaders on both sides, building relationships that helped pave the way for a tentative agreement.

Critics argue that Kushner's involvement was overly extensive, with some claiming he was too deeply entrenched in the negotiations. His wife, Ivanka Trump, also played a significant role, according to sources. However, many point out that her influence may have been overstated.

Witkoff, on the other hand, is said to have brought a more nuanced approach to the talks. He reportedly used his business acumen to find common ground between the parties, while also keeping an eye on potential pitfalls.

Despite some concerns about their methods, both Kushner and Witkoff maintain that they acted with the best interests of Israel and Palestine at heart. They argue that their unconventional tactics helped to create a sense of urgency around the negotiations, which in turn led to a more substantial agreement.

However, not everyone is convinced. Some have questioned whether the deal was fair or if it truly represents a break from previous failed attempts at peace. The long-term implications of this agreement remain to be seen, and for now, Kushner and Witkoff are facing intense scrutiny over their role in shaping history.

Sources close to the negotiations paint a complex picture of the events leading up to the deal, one that highlights the intricacies and complexities involved in international diplomacy.

Ugh, can't believe they got away with this . I mean, I get that Kushner and Witkoff are trying to do what's best for Israel and Palestine, but those sneaky backchanneling sessions and clandestine meetings just reek of favoritism . And don't even get me started on Ivanka Trump's influence - if she was really playing a significant role, we should know more about it . It feels like they were just using their connections to grease the wheels for this deal instead of actually putting in the legwork . The fact that some people are already questioning whether this is fair or not tells me there's something fishy going on .

Wow ! I mean, can you believe how secretive Kushner and Witkoff were? All these late-night calls and clandestine meetings... it's like something out of a spy novel . But seriously, who knew real estate was so important in international diplomacy? It makes sense that Witkoff brought some business savvy to the table, but Kushner's involvement is still weird .

Interesting how Ivanka Trump is also being scrutinized for her role in all this... it's like she's been quietly playing mediator behind the scenes . But let's be real, the real question is: what's going on with the long-term implications of this deal? Is it really a step forward for Israel and Palestine, or just a bunch of hush-hush politics .

I'm not sure if we're being naive or genuinely optimistic . I mean, think about it... two real estate developers and some senior advisors are making history with a peace deal . Don't get me wrong, Kushner's wife Ivanka Trump is no ordinary partner in diplomacy , but can we really trust that this isn't just a calculated PR stunt? The whole thing feels like a high-stakes game of chess to me . Are we buying into the narrative that these guys truly care about making peace, or are they just trying to get their names on a major achievement? The fact remains, there's still so much nuance to unpack here ...

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole peace deal thing... Like, I get it, Kushner and Witkoff are high profile players in Trump's inner circle, but can't they just play nice for once? All these late night calls and secret meetings have got me thinking... what's the real motive here? Are we talking about genuine peace efforts or just some slick PR stunt to distract us from other issues? I mean, Ivanka's involvement is a red flag right there - is she really so influential that her hubby's trying to get her on board just because of who she is? The whole thing reeks of smoke and mirrors, if you ask me... can't we just have real leaders making real decisions around here instead of some slick-talking wheeling-dealers?

idk about these new peacemakers they're kinda sketchy but at the same time i can see how their methods might've worked. like Kushner's wife was super influential or whatever... but then again, it's not like she was really making decisions . and Witkoff seems legit with his business skills and all . but what if this deal just sets us back in the long run? idk man, i'm torn about this whole thing...

I'm not sure about these new-fangled negotiation tactics Kushner and Witkoff are using . Back in my day, we didn't need all these secret meetings and backchanneling to get stuff done. Just sit down with the other person, have a real conversation, and work something out . But I guess that's just old-fashioned me . I do think it's kinda crazy that Ivanka Trump was involved in the talks too . My grandma used to say, "If you want to make friends, start with a nice cup of tea" ️. These guys seem like they're trying to force something together instead of really listening . We'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out

I'm not sure if I would've been able to get both sides of the table talking like that . Those guys at the center of it all seem like total pros! Jared Kushner's got some serious skills, building those relationships on the backchannel like that is genius . And Steve Witkoff, he's a real business brains guy, finding common ground where others wouldn't .

But for real though, you gotta wonder about those late-night calls and secret meetings . Some people might think it's a little shady, but if it led to this historic agreement then I say let's give 'em credit . At the end of the day, both sides came out ahead, which is what matters most .

One thing that's got me thinking though, is whether this deal is gonna hold up in the long run . Time will tell, but for now I'm gonna be keeping an eye on it .

the whole thing seems like a big mess , Kushner's involvement is shady and I'm not buying the "best interests" story , it's all about politics , but at the same time, it's hard to deny that some progress has been made , Palestine needs help , and Israel's security is a big concern , maybe they can work together somehow , but the way it was done feels so... sketchy , too many backroom deals , and we're still waiting to see if this deal will actually stick

I'm low-key impressed by Jared Kushners moves, he's like a real-life superhero, navigating all these complex webs of power & politics to get a historic deal done . But at the same time, I gotta wonder if his hands were too deep in the negotiations... I mean, having his wife Ivanka involved might've added some extra spice, but was it necessary?

And what's up with Steve Witkoff, he seems like the cool uncle of diplomacy, bro . His business acumen is like a superpower in these talks, finding common ground and avoiding potential pitfalls. But I'm still not sure if I trust him fully... you can't just gloss over concerns that easily

It's wild to think about how intense the backchanneling must've been, all those late-night calls & clandestine meetings . And for Kushners and Witkoffs to say they acted with Israel & Palestine's best interests at heart, but not everyone believes them .

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this deal plays out in the long run... and if it holds up to scrutiny

this whole thing is like trying to navigate a crazy maze , i mean i get where they're comin from but Kushner's involvement seems kinda suspect to me like what's his real motive here? and what about the late night phone calls and clandestine meetings it sounds like they were tryin to pull a fast one on everyone. and don't even get me started on Ivanka's role in all this she seems like just another pawn in her dad's game of global chess

like, what's with Jared Kushner's ego trip? all those late-night phone calls and clandestine meetings just to prove he's still relevant... i mean, can't he just delegate tasks like a normal human being? and what's up with the wife's influence, too? Ivanka Trump as peace negotiator? sounds like a real thing now. anyway, at least Steve Witkoff is being somewhat level-headed about it all... but you know, maybe that's just because he's not trying to take over the world (unlike some people ).

this whole thing feels like a real-life game of Risk - except instead of territories, they're fighting over people's lives . Jared Kushner's wife Ivanka getting more recognition than her hubby is kinda wild tho . Like, I get it, she's got connections, but come on . The whole backchanneling thing is just so... extra . Can we just have a straightforward negotiation for once?

This whole deal seems super suspicious to me... like, what's really going on behind closed doors? I mean, Kushner and Witkoff are both super connected and have a lot of sway, so it's easy to see how they could influence the talks. And let's be real, their methods sound way too sketchy for my liking ... late-night phone calls and clandestine meetings? That's just not how you make peace agreements in a healthy way . I'm all for finding common ground, but can't we do it without playing games like this?

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, but Kushner and Witkoff seem like they did what was needed to get the job done. They were willing to put in the work and travel around secretly to meet with leaders on both sides. But at the same time, you have to wonder if their methods are too aggressive or if it's just a normal part of negotiations.

I mean, we've seen plenty of deals go down in the past that didn't quite work out. So is this one really different? Did they really find common ground between Israel and Palestine, or was it just a matter of finding ways to compromise?

It's also interesting to see how Ivanka Trump got involved. Was she a major player, or was her influence overstated? I don't know enough about the inner workings of the negotiations to say for sure.

One thing is for sure though: this deal has been hailed as historic by some, but it's not without its critics. We need to keep an eye on how things play out in the long run and see if this deal really does make a difference.

They're really gonna scrutinize these two guys for using backchanneling and secret meetings? Like come on... gotta be some shady stuff goin' down . But at the same time, I feel like Kushner's wife got a lot more clout than people give her credit for . And what's up with all these late-night phone calls? Sounds like they were tryin' to get things done ASAP . Not saying it's a good thing or bad, but it's def interesting to see how one deal can have so many different opinions about it

what's really behind this deal? is it just about politics or is there more to it? i mean, think about it... two men, Kushner and Witkoff, using their connections and influence to bring people together. it's almost like they're playing a game of chess, except instead of pieces on a board, it's the fate of two nations at stake.

and what's with the secrecy? do we really need that much backchanneling and clandestine meetings? doesn't transparency help to build trust? or is it just a matter of getting things done, no matter how questionable the means?

i'm not saying it's all bad... i think Kushner and Witkoff are genuinely trying to make a difference. but at what cost? is this peace deal really about people coming together, or is it just another way for powerful interests to shape the narrative?

it's like they say: "the ends don't always justify the means." do we really know what's in Kushner and Witkoff's hearts, or are we just following the money trail?