Hamas offered to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip in exchange for a truce lasting five to 10 years, according to Adam Boehler, President Donald Trump's special envoy for hostage negotiations, The Hill reported.
Boehler told Israel Public Broadcasting on Sunday that Hamas made the proposal during direct negotiations with the U.S. in efforts to free American and Israeli hostages. He described the talks as "baby steps" but said the group suggested some "reasonable" and "workable" actions.
"They suggested a five-year to 10-year truce, where Hamas would lay down all … weapons, and where the United States would help, as well as other countries, ensure that there's no tunnels, there's nothing taken on the military side, and that Hamas is not involved in politics going forward," Boehler said.
Boehler added that while the conversations represented progress, the negotiations remained in early stages. He said the U.S. coordinated with Israel throughout the discussions, despite reports that Jerusalem was caught off guard by the back-channel talks.
The negotiations are part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to secure the release of American hostages — at least one believed to be alive and four presumed dead — as well as dozens of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
"The president wants every single hostage home, and he wants a peace, a calm in this region, that's what he wants," Boehler said.
The direct U.S.-Hamas talks diverged from past U.S. policy and were conducted separately from a deal brokered by former President Joe Biden that took effect on Jan. 19. Under that agreement, additional hostage releases were supposed to coincide with the second phase of negotiations to end the war.
Trump previously suggested that the U.S. take control of Gaza and transform it into a tourist destination, comparing it to the "Riviera" of the Middle East. His proposal included permanently relocating nearly 2 million Palestinians during the reconstruction process, with no guaranteed right of return.
Arab nations put forward an alternative plan, but Trump dismissed it, objecting to provisions that would allow Palestinians to remain in Gaza.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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