Washington, D.C., October 5, 2025 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that Israel must cease bombing operations in Gaza to facilitate an eventual hostage release by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Speaking to CBS News's 'Face the Nation,' Rubio asserted, "I think the Israelis and everyone acknowledge you can't release hostages in the middle of strikes, so the strikes will have to stop.

There can't be a war going on in the middle of it".

According to a text exchange between US President Donald Trump and a CNN reporter released on Sunday, Trump indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports ending the military campaign in Gaza.

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas were scheduled to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with Netanyahu expressing optimism about the potential release of hostages held in Gaza within days.

This diplomatic push follows Hamas's positive response to a proposed roadmap by Trump for ending the conflict and releasing captives from Gaza in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

Rubio, who appeared on several Sunday talk shows regarding the Gaza situation, highlighted logistical challenges that need to be addressed before hostages can be released.

He also noted that establishing a stable governance structure in Gaza that excludes Hamas will prove to be more challenging in the long term.

US President Trump expressed expectations of soon obtaining clarity regarding Hamas's commitment to peace following their October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which triggered the conflict.

Trump stated that if Hamas refuses to relinquish power, they would face "Complete Obliteration".