Israel to take 'kinetic action' on Hamas if Gaza hostages not freed, Boehler tells CNN
If Hamas does not act towards a ceasefire and return the hostages, "Israel is going to have to take some kinetic action," the Trump administration's Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, threatened on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday.
Kinetic action is a euphemistic phrase used to describe active warfare, including using lethal force.
Israel has "a new sense of ability to get something done," following the successful airstrike campaign against Iran, Boehler told CNN's Jake Tapper.
Tapper asked Boehler how close a deal with Hamas is and what the remaining sticking points are to get hostages home.
In response, Boehler noted that he is optimistic as the Trump administration's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has been "leaning in really closely on a deal, and he's done it on Israel...the Israelis want something done."
'Hamas is very hard-headed'
However, Boehler also stated that "Hamas is very hard-headed," confirming his personal experience negotiating with the terror group.
"They have been offered many things that they should take, and it is time for Hamas to release the hostages," he noted.
Israel is "bending over backwards" to get Hamas to agree, Boehler added.
Boehler also highlighted that two murdered hostages, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra are US nationals, stating "We need to get those Americans out, we need to get the other hostages out."
We have told Hamas that there is a "firm pathway to negotiate peace, and that's the best they are going to get," Boehler said.
Hamas should take the deal, and every time that they have not, the offer goes down, he added.
"My recommendation to Hamas would be to take the deal that Israel and the US are offering you, let's get some people home, and let's move to end this conflict," Boehler concluded.
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