US hostage envoy says Hamas offered to disarm during years-long truce

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler praises what he calls a Hamas proposal that would see a five- to ten-year truce with Israel during which the terror group would disarm and forego political power in Gaza, and claims his decision to enter direct talks with the terror group was coordinated with Jerusalem.

As he makes his rounds on Hebrew-language newscasts this evening, Boehler tells the Kan public broadcaster that Hamas “suggested exchanging all prisoners… and a five-year to ten-year truce where Hamas would lay down all weapons and where the US, as well as other countries, would ensure that there are no tunnels, there’s nothing taken on the military side, and that Hamas is not involved in politics going forward.”

He calls the proposal “not a bad first offer.”

Amid concerns that the White House is prioritizing the release of American hostages over Israeli ones, the US envoy reassures the Israeli public that the Trump administration intends to get both “Americans and Israelis out, our commitment is full.”

Boehler also says Israel was informed about his talks with Hamas before they even started, contradicting Israeli officials who say they only learned of the talks when they were already underway.

“My actions were coordinated with Israel… even though maybe there were some who said they weren’t,” he says. “My job isn’t to move Israel aside, Israel is a major ally… I want to be added to what happens to Israel, not take away.”

He dismisses conflicting narratives from Israel and Hamas on ceasefire developments, saying “that sounds a little like a game to me, that sounds like politics.”

Boehler calls US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, National Security advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “the A-team of foreign policy” from the US perspective, and asserts his confidence that the negotiators could reach an agreement in the region within “weeks.”