WASHINGTON.- The envoy of the United States who had unprecedented direct conversations with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamás said Sunday that the meeting was “very useful” and that he trusted that a agreement For the liberation of Hostages of Gaza “in a matter of weeks”.
In statements to the chain CNNAdam Boehler – a American Jew – acknowledged that it had been “rare” to sit face to face with the leaders of a group that the United States has cataloged as an “terrorist” organization since 1997, but did not rule out more meetings with its representatives.
Boehler said he understood Israel’s “dismay” for the fact that the United States had had conversations with the group, but said he had been trying give a boost to the “fragile” bilateral negotiations.
“In the end, I think it was a very useful meeting,” he said. “I think something could be realized in a matter of weeks … I think there is a potential agreement for which they can free all prisoners, not just Americans.”
New conversations
Boehler suggested that there was the possibility of new conversations with Palestinian militants.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, taking 251 hostages, including several Americans. It is estimated that there are 58 hostages in Gaza held by the terrorist militia.
Israel invaded Gaza in response, freeing a relentless war for more than 15 months.
The first phase of a truce, which revolved around the release of some hostages, ended earlier this month, and Both parties now argued when to move on to the second phasewhich points to a more permanent peace. The negotiations are locked and there are no clear decisions about it.
“Last warning”
Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened to a greater destruction of Gaza if he did not release all the hostages that Hamas held, launching what he called a “last warning” to the group’s leaders.
Later, Boehler spoke with him Channel 12 From Israel, where he was asked if the United States would support Israel if he decided to return to the fighting in Gaza. “At this time, the president has said that he would support Israel in that regard, which is Israel’s decision,” he replied.
Hamas’s attacks left 1,218 dead in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official figures.
