A US envoy disclosed that Hamas suggested a five-to-10-year ceasefire along with a full prisoner exchange, inciting backlash from Israeli officials and conservatives in the US. Adam Boehler, the special envoy for hostage affairs, expressed confidence that Hamas might eventually relinquish power in Gaza. His comments aimed to clarify the US position but faced criticism from Israeli figures like Ron Dermer and Bezalel Smotrich, who reacted angrily to thought of US negotiations with Hamas. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the envoy’s actions as necessary attempts to engage with those holding hostages.
We weren't prepared to just sit back for two weeks... You've got a real chance for some movement and seeing hostages home in the next few weeks.
The Israeli minister did not specify how this message was conveyed to Boehler.
That was a one-off situation in which our special envoy for hostages, whose job it is to get people released, had an opportunity to talk directly.
I do believe Hamas would eventually lay down its weapons and leave power in Gaza.
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