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.”
Recommended Stories
- Trump makes major Ukraine reversal, says it can win all of its territory back from Russia
- Trump tells Europe it's being ruined by mass migration: 'Your countries are going to Hell'
- Trump shows disdain for UN building after renovation snub: 'You walk on terrazzo'
“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.