Hostage Envoy Gaza_03132025_1
The Trump administration dropped its hostage envoy in Gaza because he called Hamas soldiers "pretty nice guys." JIM WATSON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

U.S. Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler, who has been leading talks with Hamas in Gaza, was dropped after Israel questioned the Trump administration about Boehler calling Hamas soldiers "nice guys."

During a CNN interview on Sunday, news anchor Jake Tapper asked Boehler if he understands why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer were upset they weren't involved in the US-Hamas talks. Trump's special envoy admitted he was sympathetic and understood the concern before defending his position.

"[Dermer] has someone that he doesn't know well making direct contact with Hamas," Boehler stated in a clip posted to X on Thursday. "Maybe I would see them and say, 'Look, they don't have horns growing out of their head. They're actually guys like us. They're pretty nice guys.'"

Boehler then reiterated that he is looking out for America's interests, not Israel's, during his negotiations before revealing they were potentially weeks away from agreeing to a hostage deal.

"We're the United States. We're not an agent of Israel," he added. "We have specific interests at play."

Boehler was stripped of his position on Thursday because of his comments during the CNN interview, Jewish Insider reported.

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