By Solomon 
The U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, has defended his direct talks with Hamas, making it clear that the Trump administration is working in America’s interests, not on behalf of Israel.
Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Boehler responded to Israeli officials who were reportedly surprised by the discussions, saying, “We’re the United States. We’re not an agent of Israel.” His negotiations, alongside separate mediation efforts from Qatar and Egypt, focused on getting American hostages released from Gaza.
He seemed hopeful about progress, stating that there was a real chance of seeing hostages freed in the coming weeks. In an interview with KAN News, Boehler revealed that Hamas had floated the idea of a five-to-10-year truce, during which they would disarm and step away from Gaza’s political leadership. They also proposed a prisoner exchange. He called it “not a bad first offer” but noted that Hamas had not formally agreed to the terms.
Addressing concerns that Washington might prioritize American hostages over Israeli ones, he reassured Israelis, saying, “Our commitment is full. We intend to get both Americans and Israelis out.”
However, the talks caused some friction with Israeli officials. The Times of Israel reported that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was frustrated upon hearing about them. Boehler, however, insisted that his efforts were meant to revive stalled negotiations.
Despite the talks, he made his stance on Hamas clear, writing on X, “Hamas is a terrorist organization that has murdered thousands of innocent people. They are BY DEFINITION BAD people.”
These discussions represent a rare direct engagement between the U.S. and Hamas, which Washington has designated a terrorist organization since 1997. Boehler confirmed that President Trump was briefed on the efforts, but they were greenlit by a team led by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Meanwhile, Israel is sending negotiators to Qatar this week to discuss a potential hostage deal and the future of the Gaza ceasefire.