Rubio: US Special Envoy's Meeting with Hamas Was a 'Missed Opportunity'

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described recent meetings between the U.S. Special Envoy and the extremist group Hamas in Qatar as a 'missed opportunity' as the Israeli negotiating team arrived in Doha to resume indirect talks with Hamas. On Monday, March 20, during his journey to Riyadh, Rubio told reporters that the recent direct negotiations between Adam Bowler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and Hamas representatives in Doha 'yielded no results' and were a 'missed opportunity.' He emphasized that the lack of results does not imply a mistake on Bowler's part. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt also stated on Monday that Donald Trump 'fully' supports Bowler's actions. Meanwhile, the American website Axios reported that the Trump administration promised Israel that such direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas would not be repeated unless Hamas made 'tangible concessions.' Israel is angry about the direct negotiations between the U.S. official and Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. Bowler stated in an interview with Israeli media that his direct negotiations with Hamas representatives were aimed at 'the release of all hostages,' not just the American-Israeli hostage Aidan Alexander, and that Hamas proposed a 5 to 10-year truce during the talks. Hamas spokespersons described their discussions with Bowler as 'constructive' and emphasized that they showed 'flexibility' in the process. The Trump representative called the meeting with Hamas for the release of hostages 'very useful.' According to Israeli media, the Israeli delegation arrived in Doha on the evening of March 20 and is awaiting a meeting with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, after discussions with Qatari and Egyptian officials. The government of Benjamin Netanyahu has recently faced increased pressure from the families of remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza to continue negotiations with Hamas for their release or for the bodies of those who have died and remain in the hands of this Palestinian group. However, Israeli media emphasize that it is unclear whether the Israeli delegation has the necessary authority to enter negotiations for new deals. Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza as leverage to pressure Hamas into releasing 24 living hostages and returning the bodies of 35 deceased hostages, and has indicated that cutting off water to the strip may also be on the agenda. Regional governments, Europe, and the United Nations have condemned Israel's action in cutting off electricity to Gaza, expressing concern about the consequences for the lives of over two million war-affected people in the strip. However, the U.S. has supported Israel in this regard. In another development, a judge in a Manhattan court ruled on Monday that Mahmoud Khalil, a student arrested for leading anti-Israeli activities at Columbia University in the U.S., would remain in the country despite the Trump administration's order for his deportation. The judge ordered that Khalil would stay in the U.S. until another ruling is issued. Khalil has been under detention in a Louisiana facility since his arrest earlier this week. Rubio stated that visas and residency for Hamas supporters in the U.S. would be revoked. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives, called the arrest and decision to deport Khalil a 'gross violation of fundamental rights.' Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House, also stated that Columbia University could have addressed his actions through an internal disciplinary process. Trump stated on Monday that individuals like Khalil are 'terrorism supporters' that the U.S. has rejected and will expel from its territory forever. He wrote in a message on his social media platform called 'Truth,' 'Goodbye Khalil.' According to the U.S. President, there are other students at Columbia and other universities across the U.S. who have participated in activities supporting terrorists, anti-Semitic actions, and anti-American activities that the current administration 'will not tolerate.' By government order, Columbia University has been deprived of receiving $400 million in aid, and universities have been warned to ensure the freedom and safety of Jewish students who faced severe pressure from protesters during the war in Israel against Gaza.