Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on “Fox News Sunday” alongside guest host Gillian Turner, where they addressed the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza, perpetuated by the militant group Hamas.
During their conversation, Turner raised a crucial point: “On Monday, President Trump issued a deadline of 6 p.m. tonight for Hamas to accept all 20 points of his proposed plan. Yet, by Friday, Hamas indicated its acceptance of just one point. Are we looking at a mere stalling tactic here?”
Rubio countered this notion, suggesting that it was misleading, adding, “First and foremost, Hamas has recognized the framework proposed by President Trump for the hostages’ release. This is significant; we’re discussing 48 individuals—20 confirmed alive and 28 who have sadly passed away.”
He continued, “Discussions are actively taking place to iron out the logistics of the release—determining who will oversee the operation, the timing, and all operational specifics.”
Rubio then shifted focus to the more daunting question of Gaza’s future: “The next challenge, and it’s a substantial one, is to establish governance in Gaza. There’s no place for Hamas, nor any terrorist organization, in that equation,” he emphasized.
He articulated a long-term vision, asserting that dismantling the influence of terrorism in Gaza is pivotal for lasting stability. “Achieving permanent peace hinges on an absence of control by groups like Hamas in Gaza,” Rubio elaborated.
Asserting that the urgent priority remains the unconditional release of all 48 hostages, Rubio stated, “This must take precedence above all else.”
In a moment of irony, Turner noted, “It sounds like a tough pill for the Israelis to digest, especially considering the expectation of trading Palestinian terrorists for hostages.”
Rubio conceded that such negotiations often lead to lopsided agreements, necessitating the release of captured terrorists in order to secure the safe return of hostages. “While these deals may appear unjust and unbalanced, they reflect the profound value placed on life in this context.”
In a somewhat ironic twist, Rubio pointed out, “All of this stems from President Trump bringing various nations together; this international coalition, including many Arab and Islamic states, was crucial. Without that effort, we wouldn’t even be engaged in this conversation today.”
Watch the full discussion:
WATCH: @SecRubio on the current state of the Israel-Hamas negotiations: “I believe we are closer than we have been in a long time to securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas.” pic.twitter.com/qHZBlO9yTX
— Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) October 5, 2025
