US is no ‘Israeli agent’ in hostage talks: Israel surprised by comments from US hostage envoy Boehler

Israel’s leadership was “surprised” by comments from U.S. hostage envoy Adam Boehler that the U.S. is not “an agent of Israel,” an Israeli source told The Times of Israel on Sunday evening.

This followed Israeli criticism of direct talks between the Trump administration and Hamas over a ceasefire extension, about which Israel had not been informed beforehand.

Speaking on CNN, Boehler, who led the talks, showed understanding for Israel’s concerns. Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly “lashed out” at Boehler over the separate negotiations last week, a source told the Times of Israel.

“I understand the consternation and the concern. I wasn’t upset,” he said of the conversation with Dermer. “At the same time, we’re the United States. We’re not an agent of Israel. We have specific interests at play.”

However, he added that he had put Dermer “at ease” after convincing him “that I wouldn’t go off the rails.”

“Israel is our best ally,” Boehler stressed.

Last Thursday, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, acknowledged that freeing kidnapped American-Israeli IDF soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other American hostages was the priority of the talks, but added he was working to free all of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

Boehler stressed on Sunday that “dialogue doesn’t mean giving things,” and said that Israel was kept informed about the talks. President Trump wants to “bring everybody home,” he reiterated.

Israel has confirmed that the talks between Boehler and senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, who was involved in planning the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre had led to some progress.

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Doha on Monday for negotiations, with its mandate set to be determined in a cabinet discussion on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Witkoff is scheduled to return to the region on Tuesday, with the initial focus of the talks being the definition of a negotiation framework.

The U.S. reportedly aims for the release of ten living hostages, including Alexander, in exchange for a two-month extension of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the resumption of humanitarian aid.