Hostages US defends backroom talks with Hamas

Hamas offered a ceasefire of up to 10 years in backroom talks with a US diplomat that have angered Israeli hardline politicians.

- Andrew Roth Washington Jason Burke Jerusalem

Adam Boehler, the US presidential envoy for hostage affairs, told Kan News, Israel's national broadcaster, that he believed the group would eventually lay down its weapons and leave power in Gaza.

He also defended his decision to hold the talks and discuss a long-term truce by saying Washington was "not an agent of Israel".

"We weren't prepared to just sit back for two weeks," Boehler told Kan. "You've got a real chance for some movement and seeing hostages home in the next few weeks."

The remarks are said to have enraged Ron Dermer, the strategic affairs adviser to Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. They also sparked anger among government figures including the ultranationalist finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich.

"[Boehler] attempted to negotiate the release of American hostages. We made it clear to him that he cannot speak on our behalf, and if he wishes to negotiate on behalf of the United States, then good luck to him," Smotrich told Israel's Army Radio, according to the Times of Israel.

The minister did not specify how this message was conveyed to Boehler. However, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, yesterday tried to ease concerns over the talks between Boehler and Hamas.