‘Not Enough Attention’ Given To Hostages Held By Hamas, Rubio Declares
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling out what he sees as a dangerous oversight in the international conversation about the war in Gaza: the fate of hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists.
In a Wednesday interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, Rubio emphasized that the Biden-era foreign policy obsession with Gaza’s humanitarian situation has overshadowed two critical realities: the continued captivity of innocent people, and the threat posed by Hamas itself.
“There are 20 innocent human beings that are being held hostage in horrifying conditions,” Rubio said. “And not enough attention is being paid to it.”
Rubio, who speaks frequently with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team, explained that the administration is tackling what he described as three “interrelated” crises: the humanitarian situation, the hostages, and the enduring threat of Hamas.
He made clear that while the U.S. is working to provide food and aid without bolstering Hamas, the focus must not drift away from the root cause of the conflict. “As long as Hamas exists, there will not be peace. It’ll restart again if Hamas remains,” Rubio warned.
President Donald Trump recently acknowledged “real starvation” in Gaza and dispatched his special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, to survey conditions and draft a plan for safe aid distribution. But the administration is reportedly frustrated with the media and foreign diplomats prioritizing Gaza’s internal conditions while ignoring the moral and strategic imperative of dismantling Hamas and freeing the hostages.
Rubio reinforced this point. “All the talk is about humanitarian — which is important; we are willing to do a lot to be helpful there — but we have to focus on the other two. Those other two cannot be forgotten.”
He also echoed President Trump’s stance that any deal must secure the release of all hostages — not just a token few — and include the return of deceased captives as well. According to the secretary, it is not just a security issue but a matter of principle and justice.
“Even the Arab League says it,” Rubio added. “As long as Hamas exists as an armed group in Gaza, there will not be a peaceful future, because it’s going to happen again. And that can’t — this can never happen again.”
Rubio’s remarks add to growing pressure on the international community to stop treating the humanitarian crisis as separate from the terrorism problem. The Trump administration continues to assert that any meaningful peace process must begin with the total dismantling of Hamas and the unconditional release of all hostages — not half-measures or delayed negotiations.