Latest news with #AdamBoehler
27-05-2025
- Politics
Negotiations continue to free wrongly-detained Americans
At least eight Americans are currently being unjustly detained in Venezuelan prisons, according to officials. Adam Boehler, President Trump's special envoy for hostage response, shares the latest.
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump hostage envoy dismisses report of Israel abandonment threat as 'fake news'
FIRST ON FOX: In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the annual Jerusalem Post Conference in New York, Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler responded to a Washington Post report that claimed President Donald Trump threatened to abandon Israel unless the war ended as "fake news." "That sounds like fake news to me," he said. "I think the president has maintained a very high degree of support for Israel." He added, "He may be saying, 'Hey, listen, let's try to end the war,' he might speak strongly, but I think American president, in particular, this president's support, President Trump's support for Israel is ironclad." Separately, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also rejected the claim. In an interview with Israel's Ynet, he said, "Their reporting is nonsense. They need to listen to what the President says - not what some uninformed 'source' pretends to know.'" Boehler emphasized that the U.S. government's primary focus remains on securing the release of the 58 hostages still held by Hamas. "I think there's obviously continued back and forth. The President made it very clear that he wants something to come to conclusion." "I know that he and Steve [Witkoff] are working very hard right now to try to bring that home. So, a very fluid situation, but our primary focus is number one, the hostages, and number two, Israel's security," he said. On the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Boehler addressed the recent development of opening borders to allow aid trucks into Gaza after two months of a blockade. He also discussed the new U.S.-backed mechanism that could potentially replace the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). "Perhaps there needs to be a replacement for UNRWA. We've had a lot of issues with the U.N. And if this works, if it gets food to the Palestinian people who need it, then I greatly favor it," Boehler said. Later, in an interview on stage at the Jerusalem Post conference, Boehler recalled the tense moments surrounding the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander. "It's an unbelievable moment. It was an unbelievable moment on Sunday. The whole time, we couldn't sleep. It was exciting, nerve-wracking. We watched pretty much real-time. We were waiting for Steve Witkoff to come. We were waiting the whole time for the Red Cross. When the helicopter landed, we saw it on TV. That first phone call was unbelievable. It was right on Mother's Day when we went over. It had a lot of meaning — for me, Steve, and everybody." As for the timeframe for the hostage deal, Boehler expressed cautious optimism: "I think it's getting closer and closer to making a deal here. If Hamas wants to come forward and make a legitimate offer, they're willing to stand by and release hostages, we're always open to that." He also credited the recent Israeli ground operations for increasing pressure on Hamas, saying, "I do think we're closer than we ever were. Part of that is because of the movement of Israel and the IDF on the ground." Finally, addressing the recent joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Canada, which condemned Israel's military operations in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, Boehler responded firmly. "The United States has always been a fervent supporter of Israel. If I were a European country, I'd be particularly sensitive in how I criticize Israel."
Daily News Egypt
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Massacres, starvation: Gaza endures 225 days of war amid collapsing ceasefire talks
The Israeli occupation army's campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip entered its 225th consecutive day on Saturday, marked by relentless airstrikes, mounting civilian casualties, and an ever-deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Despite mounting international concern, ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel in Doha—mediated by Qatar and Egypt—remain at a standstill. Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that at least 96 Palestinians were killed and over 140 injured since early Saturday, pushing the death toll since Israel resumed its offensive to more than 3,000. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed and 121,000 wounded—figures that Palestinian and international observers increasingly describe as indicative of one of the most devastating modern genocides. Among the dead are five journalists killed in simultaneous Israeli airstrikes while on assignment. According to Hamas, the total number of media workers killed has reached 220. The movement condemned the targeting of journalists as an attempt to 'silence the truth,' urging international media organizations to stand in solidarity with Gaza's press corps. On the ground, the Israeli occupation forces launched a new military operation, 'Chariots of Gideon,' involving more than 670 airstrikes across the Strip. Ground incursions continue in Jabalia refugee camp in the north and in Khuza'a and Al-Fukhari near Khan Younis in the south, supported by heavy artillery and aerial bombardment. Palestinian sources say the intense shelling is being used to clear paths for advancing ground forces, as many civilians remain trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals. The intensification of military operations coincides with deadlocked indirect negotiations in Doha. U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler acknowledged the talks are 'not going well' and described them as 'extremely volatile.' He stated that Washington has made it clear to Hamas that any ceasefire would depend on the release of hostages, adding that 'progress requires pressure and resolve.' Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff sought to assure the international community that the Trump administration 'will not allow a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.' However, observers and humanitarian groups have criticized such statements as inconsistent with conditions on the ground—where aid convoys are routinely blocked, relief workers targeted, and hospitals bombed. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini issued a stark warning, saying that 'Gaza is dying slowly.' He noted that humanitarian aid has been stuck at border crossings for over two months, with food and medical supplies nearing expiration. In a post on X, Lazzarini appealed for the immediate lifting of the blockade, stating, 'Let us do our job. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.' Amid growing concern, the U.S. Embassy in Libya denied an NBC News report alleging that the Trump administration was considering relocating one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya. The embassy called the report 'not true,' though the network claimed discussions were held with unnamed Libyan figures. As the war drags on, global outrage continues to mount. Marking the 77th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, hundreds of thousands marched in major European cities—including London, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Athens—demanding an end to what demonstrators labeled a genocide and calling for a halt to Western military and political support for Israel. Protesters carried banners condemning war crimes and urging international prosecution of Israeli leaders, as calls intensify for sanctions and diplomatic isolation of the occupying power.
Al Arabiya
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Senior Hamas official confirms direct talks with US Trump administration
Hamas is holding direct negotiations with the US administration, a senior official for the Palestinian militant group confirmed in an interview with Al Arabiya English, further deepening concerns Israel has about the reliability of its most important ally. 'We were, in some stations, in direct talks with the American administrations and we have met with some representatives of the American administration,' Bassem Naim told Melinda Nucifora on Counterpoints. One of those talks included US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler held in March, he noted. Suspicions about the strength of Israeli-US relations first came under the spotlight after the surprise announcement that Washington would halt strikes against Yemen's Houthi militia. They were intensified after US President Donald Trump revealed that the last living American hostage was freed after a deal made with Hamas as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza – talks which Israel was not a part of. According to Naim, the release of US-Israeli Edan Alexander was a 'gesture' intended to showcase the militant group was serious about reaching a ceasefire deal with Israel that would see the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for the release of Israeli hostages, the total withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, and the entry of aid into the territory. 'Within these talks and negotiations, there was a clear understanding between us and the Americans that when we do this [release Alexander], President Trump, he will thank Hamas for this,' Naim said. 'But what is most important, he will – on the second day – oblige Israel to allow aid to come into Gaza, and he will call for immediate ceasefire talks with the goal to end this war, including the prisoner exchange,' he added. However, Trump failed to keep up his end of the bargain and was unable to push Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal under conditions stipulated by Hamas, Naim noted. Despite this, Hamas does still believe that the Trump administration can help achieve long-lasting peace between the Palestinians and Israelis, he added. 'Look, our enemy is only one. It is the Israeli occupation. And we have heard a lot about the vision and the intentions of President Trump to de-escalate the situation in a lot of areas around the world. He is doing this in Ukraine. He is doing this in Yemen. He is [doing this] by adopting negotiations with Iran instead of going towards war based on the wishes of Netanyahu,' Naim said. 'We believe that President Trump can do it.' Netanyahu has vowed to push ahead with a promised escalation of force in Israel's war in the Gaza Strip to pursue his aim of destroying the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza. In comments released by Netanyahu's office Tuesday, the prime minister said Israeli forces were days away from entering Gaza 'with great strength to complete the mission ... It means destroying Hamas.'
The National
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
US envoy Steve Witkoff held direct talks with Hamas leaders in Doha, sources reveal
Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip US President Donald Trump's special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held direct talks with Hamas leaders in Qatar on Wednesday, sources told The National. The meeting was a first between the real estate magnate and representatives of the militant Palestinian group, they said. The US envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, met Hamas leaders in March and last week. The talks between Mr Witkoff and the Hamas officials on Wednesday coincided with Mr Trump's visit to Qatar, his second stop of a three-nation Gulf tour that has already taken him to Saudi Arabia. His next stop is the UAE. Mr Witkoff, according to the sources, met senior Hamas leaders Muhammad Darwish, Khalil Al Hayya and Zaher Jabareen. The talks "made progress" towards reaching an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of the remaining 58 hostages held by Hamas, the sources said. Like Israel and the EU, the US designates Hamas as a terrorist group. The US State Department and Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This week, Hamas freed dual US-Israel national Edan Alexander as a goodwill gesture to Mr Trump as he was about to embark on his Gulf tour. US-led negotiations on Gaza are continuing in an effort to clinch a deal to pause the war, with the conflict high on the agenda during Mr Trump's visit to the region. This week, sources told The National that negotiations were continuing simultaneously in Egypt and Qatar, long-time Washington allies who, along with the US, have been mediating an end to the war in Gaza since shortly after it broke out in October 2023. The sources said the negotiations in Doha were focused on a truce, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the entry of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the war-devastated enclave. The stakeholders of the Gaza negotiations, according to the sources, were also exploring scenarios beyond a truce, looking into ways to end the conflict and start reconstruction of the enclave, as well as discussing the future of Hamas. Hamas negotiators, they added, have not budged on their long-standing demands for a "comprehensive" deal that includes the release of all 58 hostages it is still holding in return for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons, including high-profile figures serving lengthy jail terms. Hamas has also demanded an end to the war and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, where at least 52,900 Palestinians have been killed and more than twice that number injured since the war began, health authorities in the enclave have said. The sources said US mediators were considering Hamas's demands, including giving the militant group a guarantee that negotiations would begin during a pause in the fighting – the US initially proposed a 21-day truce, but Hamas wants it to last up to 70 days – to hammer out a formula for ending the war.
