Donald Trump's hostage representative Adam Boyler responded to Israeli officials who criticized him for negotiating directly with HAMAS. He emphasized that the United States has its own interests and that the US is not "an agent" of Israel.
According to Boyler, the negotiations are primarily aimed at freeing Americans held in the Gaza Strip. He stated that HAMAS has proposed a truce lasting from five to ten years and that the group is ready to disarm in exchange for the release of all prisoners.
However, this caused a disagreement between Washington and Tel Aviv officials. In particular, Netanyahu's office issued a brief statement expressing its dissatisfaction with the negotiations in an open but soft tone.
"Israel has conveyed its position to the US regarding direct negotiations with HAMAS," the statement said.
The issue was also addressed by Israel's finance minister. In an interview with KAN radio, he called Adam Boyler's direct negotiations with HAMAS leaders "absolutely wrong."
According to Bezalel Smotrich, Boyler acted "on his own initiative" to free Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds a US passport, from Gaza. He also criticized the Trump representative as being "naive" and called HAMAS's 5-10 year truce proposal "an absolutely ridiculous plan."
However, the Israeli finance minister acknowledged that resuming hostilities in Gaza could threaten the lives of the hostages. On Monday, at a press conference in the Knesset, he stated that the government is currently trying to free as many hostages as possible through negotiations.
Smotrich had previously emphasized that defeating HAMAS militarily and freeing the hostages are not mutually exclusive.
Israel's minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer also did not remain on the sidelines. He expressed dissatisfaction with Boyler for not being informed about the negotiations.
