From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Amid reports of sidelining, US official tells ToI Boehler to continue supporting Witkoff’s efforts in Mideast
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US hostage envoy Adam Boehler will continue assisting Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, a senior US official tells The Times of Israel following reports that Boehler has been sidelined from the Israel file amid frustrations in Jerusalem with his decision to hold unprecedented, secret talks with Hamas.
“Adam’s role is hostages across the world,” the senior US official tells The Times of Israel.
“He and his team will continue to support the team in the Middle East led by Steve Witkoff,” the senior US official says.
Boehler’s talks, leaked to the media last week, were largely aimed at securing the release of five American-Israeli hostages.
The talks were approved by Witkoff, but Israel was not fully informed ahead of time, a second US official says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, lashed out at Boehler during a call last week, hours after finding out about the latest meeting with Hamas, the second US official says.
Boehler conducted a series of media interviews on Sunday during which he defended the talks but also hit back at Dermer’s frustration, arguing that the US has its own interests at play.
Dermer has since lobbied other Trump officials to have Boehler removed from the Israel file, the second US official says.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Boehler’s talks were a “one-off” and that the main channel for hostage negotiations would remain the one led by Witkoff.
