Rubio addresses Hamas letter offering partial hostage release
The article reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Trump administration has not received a letter from Hamas reportedly offering a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for releasing half of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Rubio told Fox & Friends that even if such a letter existed,it would not matter to the administration because President Trump demands the release of all hostages-both the 20 confirmed alive adn the 28 deceased-rather than a partial exchange. The letter, reported by Fox News, is expected to be delivered to the White House soon, though Rubio indicated it may have been given to the media rather. he emphasized that discussions about the hostages should have ended long ago and reiterated TrumpS firm stance that all hostages must be freed immediately. Trump has publicly called on Hamas to release all captives and has raised the issue at international forums, including the United Nations. The article also highlights the U.S. opposition to the recognition of a Palestinian state, which Trump believes benefits Hamas. The ongoing hostage situation stems from an October 7,2023,attack when Hamas abducted around 250 Israelis,with 48 still held hostage,nearly half of whom are confirmed deceased.
Trump administration did not receive reported Hamas letter offering partial hostage release, Rubio says
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Tuesday that he hasn’t seen a letter reportedly penned by Hamas that asked President Donald Trump to secure a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for half of the Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza.
“We haven’t seen the letter,” Rubio told Fox & Friends. “We don’t have that letter, and even if we did, it wouldn’t matter.”
“The president has already made clear he’s not interested in 60 days, 10 people,” he said. “He wants all the hostages out, all 48, including the 20 who are alive, the 28 who are deceased. He wants them all.”
Rubio’s comments come one day after Fox News reported on the letter, which is expected to be delivered to the White House sometime this week.
In his interview with Fox News, Rubio asked why discussions about the hostages remain nearly two years after Oct. 7, 2023, when they should have been returned home a long time ago.
“Why do we still have to talk about hostages at this point? There shouldn’t be any. They should all be released immediately, period. That’s the president’s position,” Rubio added. “He would have rejected that offer had it come, but we haven’t seen that letter. I think they gave it to the media or somebody, but they haven’t given it to us.”
Trump has repeatedly called for Hamas to return all hostages, issuing what he called his “last warning” to the terrorist group earlier this month. He also raised the issue during his second state visit to the United Kingdom last week and again during his Tuesday address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
“Instead of giving in to Hamas’s ransom demands, those who want peace should be united with one message: Release the hostages now. Just release the hostages now,” Trump said, receiving applause from the world leaders in attendance. “We want them all back.”
The president’s comments were directed at the countries that recognized a Palestinian state, a move that he believes plays directly into Hamas’s hands. The United States backs Israel in opposing the creation of a Palestinian state.
Two years ago, Hamas abducted an estimated 250 people from Israel and kept them captive in Gaza. There are 48 men and women left, about half of whom are confirmed dead by Israeli officials.
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