As a U.S. delegation arrives in Israel to coordinate the ongoing effort to end the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, Marco Rubio, appears on Face the Nation to outline the current status of the hostage release efforts.
[Transcript] – MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, Marco Rubio. Good morning to you, Mr. Secretary.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO: Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It would be extraordinary to end what has been one of Israel’s longest and bloodiest wars. The prime minister said he’s only allowing these talks that will be underway in Egypt to go for a few days. What exactly is the deadline for Hamas and the terror groups who are holding hostages? When do they need to release them?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, yeah, so a couple points. Hamas has- obviously, look, we’re dealing with Hamas. Okay. So let’s take that with- for what it is. But they have said that they agree with the President’s framework for the release of the hostages. So what those talks should be about, and some of that conversation is already happening now, it’s not waiting until Monday in Cairo, is the logistics behind the release of these hostages. How do you stop the fighting? Who’s going to go in and get them? You know, when are they going to be released? Where are they picked up? What are the processes for this? That’s what should be- that’s what this conversation should be about at this point, because they’ve agreed to the framework of it. Then there’s second- beyond that is what happens after that. And that is, how do we ensure that we can create and help build a Gaza free of terrorism, free of Hamas, free of anything like Hamas and that’s going to take work and some time, not just to agree on but to implement. But that’s important, because that’s what’s going to bring a permanent end to these hostilities in the long term. And so those are the two phases here. But right now, the most emergent and immediate phase is the one that Hamas claims to have agreed to already, and that is they are prepared to release the hostages. Let’s discuss, through the mediators, the logistics and the mechanics behind how that happens. And that has to happen very quickly. That cannot drag on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So my sources have indicated to me that because the upper echelon of Hamas fighters has been so decimated, communication is difficult. The other terror groups who also hold hostages in Gaza aren’t necessarily easily controlled by them. How do you manage around this reality and is full release by October 7 the demand?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, I don’t know about the date. I’d be great if it was before October 7. We wish it would happen yesterday. But there are realities here, and then there are things people do to impede progress. Reality is, this is a war zone. I mean, this is a place that suffered a tremendous amount of destruction that fighting needs to stop. You can’t release hostages while there’s still bombardments going on, but at the same time that can’t, you know- so that has to end, but that has to stop, but you also have to work through the other logistics. Who’s going to go pick them up? We saw how this happened in the past. You know, the Red Cross would go in, they would be handed over through this process, et cetera. And so all of that’s what has to be worked on, and is being worked on as we speak. So I’m not telling you there aren’t some logistical hurdles here, but I am saying that the expectation is that this happens quickly. And I would also say that while we want all the hostages to be released, if there are five that are ready to go right now, they should be released right now. If another 10 are ready to go in 12 hours after that, the next group should come out, but ultimately they should all come out. And I think what you’re hearing from people is, yes, there has to be some logistics that have to be worked through. But what you can’t have, and what we can’t see, and what we hope we will not see, is that we get into these talks, and these talks are then delayed, and it looks like they’re unnecessarily delaying it. That would be a very bad sign. Let’s hope that’s not what happens. And it’s going to be very important for our partners in the region who signed on to this deal, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, etc, for them to be putting a lot of pressure on Hamas to make sure this happens as quickly as possible.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But you pointed out that releases can’t happen when bombardments are underway. Our CBS team in Gaza tells us that there are Israeli bombardments underway. There were strikes Saturday. Tens killed, more injured, bombings continuing. One incident included 10 people killed when they tried to check in on their homes in areas where there are also military sites. Is that acceptable?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, I think, ultimately, what you’re going to see here is that when an agreement is reached on these logistics behind when the release is going to happen, then I think you’ll see those bombardments stop, and I think some of that activity has already decreased somewhat. So, there’s a framework here, and the framework is simple. Once you agree on the logistics of how this is going to happen, I think the Israelis and everyone acknowledge you can’t release hostages in the middle of strikes, so the strikes will have to stop. And, as you saw, the president state that very clearly on Friday, where he asked the Israelis to begin to pull back to create the conditions for these releases–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So this is not a violation of that?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, we’re trying to get the hostages out. That’s the bottom line. We want to get the hostages out as soon as possible. For that to happen, there can’t be a war going on in the middle of it, and Hamas has to agree to turn them over. We have to have the right people go in and get them. That’s what we’re going to focus on right now, and that’s what we’re going to- that’s what we’ve been focused on, and that’s what the talks are going to be about today, on Monday, on Tuesday, to get this done as soon as possible.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I hear you, there are two phases here. The Hamas releasing the hostages is the one you’re most focused on. But, big picture, does the United States assess that Israel has so reduced the threat posed by Hamas that it can end combat and transition to the kind of lower-tempo counter-terrorism campaign that, say, the United States carries out against terrorist threats to this country?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, look, I mean, the ideal outcome here is you don’t have to carry out any counter-terror missions because there are no terrorists in Gaza–
MARGARET BRENNAN: But can they take the win? Can Netanyahu say he won this war?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, first of all, creating a Gaza, or setting up a Gaza that is governed by Palestinian technocrats that are not terrorists and are not sponsoring terrorism, that’s not going to happen in 72 hours. That’s going to take some time to build up, and it’s going to require a lot of work and a lot of international support, and that’s the end goal here of this entire endeavor, after you get the hostages out. By the way, if you can’t get the hostages out, you have no hope of getting that done. So that’s why I say, you know that these two steps need to happen. But it’s going to take a lot of hard work and time. You know, you’re trying to build something that doesn’t exist right now, which is a sort of civilian, Palestinian leadership that’s not tied to terrorism. That doesn’t exist right now. It’s going to take a lot of help from international partners. That’s why having the countries in the region and the Europeans and all others involved in this in both money and resources, that’s why building that coalition is so critical, and then implementing it is not going to be easy. It’s going to take some time here, but I think, certainly, for the first time in a long time, you see the framework and the outlines of something that could work.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But combat operations can end?
SEC. RUBIO: Well, that’s the goal here. Well, you wouldn’t need combat operations if there weren’t terrorists there. But, by the same token, I would remind everybody, if, in fact, at the end of all this terrorism and a terrorist group remains active inside of Gaza, you’re not going to have peace. That’s the fundamental truth here that everyone needs to accept. You’re never going to have peace in Gaza as long as there are terrorists operating from that territory, threatening the security of Israel.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But in terms of occupation and combat operations, that’s different than a counterterrorism campaign. But, let me ask you specifically what President Trump said. He told Barak Ravid of Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu, quote, “took it very far and Israel lost a lot of support in the world. Now I’m going to get all that support back.” At what point did President Trump decide that Netanyahu took this fight in Gaza, or his operations throughout the Middle East- When did he take it too far?
SEC. RUBIO: I think the President’s- the president’s observation, basically, is that because of the length of this war and how it’s gone- we’ve all seen the international narrative. We’ve all seen it, whether we agree with it or not. We have seen countries like the U.K., Australia, Canada and others come out and sort of signal support, or announce support for a Palestinian state. We have seen, even in our own domestic politics, some of the attacks on Israel. We don’t forget what happened on October 7. That’s the other thing the President repeatedly points to is, remember October 7. But the impli- whether we agree with it or not, we have seen the impact that this has had on Israel’s global standing. And I think that’s the point the President is making here, is that whether you believe it was justified or not, right or not, that we- you cannot ignore the impact that this has had on Israel’s global standing. That said, if we never want to see this happen again, meaning a war like this, you can never have another October 7 or anything like it ever happen again. And that’s the thing the President has reiterated and repeatedly made clear to our partners in the region, and that is, if you truly want peace and stability and a better future for the Palestinian people, then there has to be a Gaza that is not governed or controlled in any way, shape or form by Hamas, or anything that looks like Hamas.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Does the United States support a Palestinian state? Because point 19 in your White House plan talks about “a credible pathway to Palestinian self determination and statehood.”
SEC. RUBIO: Well, again, we’ve always said, I mean, this has been a consistent position throughout, that the only way you’re ever going to have anything that looks like statehood is in a negotiated deal with the Israelis. We are so far from that right now–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, but Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state and thanked President Trump for speaking against recognition of one. That’s why I’m asking you to clarify.
SEC. RUBIO: Well, we haven’t recognized the Palestinian state–
[CROSSTALK]
MARGARET BRENNAN: I understand.
SEC. RUBIO: –the United States has not. And right now, there’s no point in doing that–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Does the US want to see one?
[CROSSTALK ENDS]
SEC. RUBIO: –because it’s not even possible. That’s not even a realistic thing right now. Because who, who would govern that Palestinian state, Hamas?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, it’s point 19 in your plan–
SEC. RUBIO: –Who would govern it?
MARGARET BRENNAN: –I thought.
SEC. RUBIO: Well, but that’s talking about a pathway long term and in the future.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
SEC. RUBIO: But one of the- before you can even get there, okay, that’s, you know, before you can even get there, you have to have someone to turn that land- Israel’s made clear they have no interest in governing Gaza. They have no interest in occupying Gaza long term and being the government of Gaza. I think Israel, I can’t speak for Israel, but I think Israel would tell you they would love to turn over Gaza to a Palestinian organization that isn’t terrorists. They would love to do that. But that doesn’t exist right now. That has to be built, and that’s going to take time. You’re not going to build that in 72 hours. You’re not going to build that in 72 weeks. I mean, it’s going to take some time to get to that point. So that’s the pathway this discusses. And I think if you look forward into the future where there is suddenly a Palestinian government-like organization, that can govern territory, then there’s a lot of possibilities. But that has to be negotiated and agreed to by Israel. In the end, it’s very simple. There can be peace in Gaza, there can be Palestinian governance in Gaza, whether you call it statehood or something else, as long as it is not terrorists that are in charge of that territory. That’s what Israel agreed to when they turned over Gaza in the first place, and then Hamas took over Gaza and turned it into a terrorist camp, and that’s what’s led us to the point that we are at today. So we can get off that road and onto a different road. There are a lot of possibilities long term and in the future, but right now–
MARGARET BRENNAN: So maybe?
SEC. RUBIO: –we are far from that. Right now, we need to get these hostages out, and we just need technocrats that are not terrorists to be able to begin the basic reconstruction of Gaza.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That interview was taped earlier today, with the camera off, Secretary Rubio clarified that President Trump still opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank though there is no mention of the Occupied Territory in the 20 point White House peace plan.
[END TRANSCRIPT]
Secretary Rubio also appeared on NBC Meet the Press. Below:
Peace is the prize!
Thank you God for putting adults back in charge.
Oh Lord, hear our prayers.
She blames delays on Israel by complaining that all the Hamas leadership is dead, which is exactly how Israel managed to get them to this point in the first place.
Then she tries to get Rubio to declare that the war is over and Israel won, as if Hamas has unilaterally surrendered and stacked their arms.
Then she tries to get Rubio to recognize a Palestinian state by jumping to Point 19 in the plan, as if the first 18 will be accomplished by five o’clock this afternoon.
What a load of malarky.
And all the while, nary a question on Venezuela.
As long as any part of Hamas or any terrorist organization has leverage, in this case hostages (maybe) or dead bodies, you can’t trust anything they say. About zero chance they won’t hold something back rather then comply 100% with any peace agreement. They don’t want peace, they want Israel destroyed regardless of the cost.
To your point Hamas is now trying to change their terms for agreement by demanding that other Hamas prisoners be freed to agree to release of hostages.
Once again, I thank you for the transcript.
Transcripts are always good.
The transcript is very helpful, as Brennan is insufferable to listen to.
Maria and Nunes are laying out the documents that the DOJ and FBI were looking for in the MAL raid of the President. Holding them up on the TV. I know these were released but she is asking the questions that need to be asked. Answering some herself. Everyone in on that needs to be having their door kicked in by some serious criminal retrieval teams.
Committee already had these documents. What is this BS “I thought they were in the archives.” They were declassified under Presidential authority and should have been Xeroxed and disseminated immediately. Hillary should be in jail for the rest of her unnatural life.
Joan – Political warfare and Military warfare are twins in the necessity of deception to gain advantages necessary to achieve goals. With all respect, single heroes have been working for years to elevate the discourse, regain a possible re-alignment with Founding Documents. By the way, shoulda, coulda and woulda are wishes. As to Hillary, yes.
Committee having the documents is like a rowboat full of monkeys, with tiny paddles rowing without goals.
Once again thanks for the transcript so one does not have to hear her speak. 🤓
Mace the Nation. Beat the Press.
Our kind host doing the hard work, so we don’t have to stomach it live.
Thanks.
When Secretary Rubio said, “You can’t release hostages while there’s still bombardments going on,” the line carried more than policy—it carried principle. Beneath its calm delivery was a truth both human and universal: freedom cannot emerge in the midst of chaos. Whether on a battlefield or within the human heart, release requires stillness. The violence must stop before mercy can act.
The interviewer, intent on timelines and tension, missed the weight of that moment. She pressed for control, for a schedule, when the wisdom in his words was calling for something deeper—a pause, a silence wide enough for peace to begin.
So, if Hamas keeps bombing there can be no release?
If hamas keep bombing, then I suspect Israel will do what they need to do, and I hope with PT’s blessing/help.
Hamas have reneged on every ceasefire, every promise of releasing the last of the hostages. It will not surprise me at all if they lied again.
That said, I’d give them till 2359hrs tomorrow, Israeli time. Then all hell breaks loose.
And that is exactly what needs to be done!
“Well there Margaret, Hamas could certainly use some new pagers or 2-way radios as part of the agreement, especially for their current leaders”
stellar
Thank you, Sundance.
Why are they only showing up on CBS or other fake news? Why don’t they contract with OAN and make other stations PAY to broadcast the leftover news? Stop providing content to the enemy.
She is REALLY insufferable……..
If the hostages are not in Israeli hands by Monday evening, Gaza should be leveled.
To busy trying to frame A ‘gotcha ‘ moment to hear what was being said.
Interrupting and talking over your guest is par for her.
You can level Gaza and Lebanon and whoever else you want but I’ll bet a years pay that on Trumps last day in office, Israel will be in a war with somebody…..it’s what keeps that American money flowing.
grasshopper…will BiBi level WEST BANK too if hamas do not give up hostages..???
Does someone here know and kindly enlighten me and any one else interested as to how in her last paragraph she said that there the interview was taped earlier with camera off/ hence no video recorded?
How does she squared having camera off (the last paragraph of transcript) for the interview taped earlier. What is this video that is now playing? Did she lie because she changed or injected new audio from her from what she or Marco Rubio said in the ‘non-video”? Such baloney.
There should be a period after the word “earlier” and the next word “with” should be capitalized to start the next sentence.
What should be capitalized and a period after earlier? Big, NOT.
The sentence should read:
MARGARET BRENNAN: That interview was taped earlier today. With the camera off, Secretary Rubio clarified that President Trump still opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank though there is no mention of the Occupied Territory in the 20 point White House peace plan.
Transcription error. It changed the meaning of her sentence.
You are right the way you phrase it. Thank you
It would be fantastic if it all works out the way Trump and Rubio envision that it could work out, and all kudos and credit to them if it does.
However, the only credibility Hamas has is illustrated by it’s history, and that history says they have no intention of going away, of ceding any real power in Gaza, or of giving up their weapons. They are stalling for time, hoping the pressure on Israel to agree to the plan and start withdrawing will be so great that they will be able to slip back unnoticed into their tunnels so they can rise up to fight again another day. It is wishful thinking to conclude anything else.
I don’t understand why Israel waited so long to launch this current assault on Gaza City to try to end the war. Hamas should have been eradicated and the war finished within six months of 10/7. Every delay and every new round of talks has only been to the benefit of Hamas. Should have gotten it over with a long time ago.
I read a two part series over at Red State that explains the Israeli war in Gaza in great detail. The author is anonymous, The Original John Doe.
In it, he tracks the Israeli strategies and efforts to eliminate Hamas without killing everybody in Palestine, basically. It is very interesting.
I think the process has been very difficult, because of the infrastructure Hamas has built, lots of it underground, in the last twenty years.
Here are the links to it:
https://redstate.com/john-doe/2025/10/04/gaza-war-idf-prepares-to-capture-gaza-city-part-1-n2194716
https://redstate.com/john-doe/2025/10/05/gaza-war-idf-prepares-to-capture-gaza-city-part-2-n2194717
“… without killing everybody in Palestine …”
Where is this “Palestine” of which you speak?
Did you mean Gaza?
I note that “Palestine” is nowhere mentioned in the 2 articles you cited.
Is there a present-day map you can point us to that shows this so-called “Palestine”
— signed, Puzzled
At some point, Western nations, including the US, will understand that Palestinians do not want a two state solution. They never have, and never will. It is also important to remember that 70% of Palestinian civilians approved of October 7. If you have ever watched MEMRI TV ,you see that Palestinians, from grade school onward, are taught that Israel, and Jews themselves, must be eradicated. The idea of a ‘technocratic Gaza’ is something that, if possible at all, will tack generations to accomplish.
By the way, with regard to Israel’s ‘popularity’, it might be an idea to read Charlie Kirk’s letter to Netanyahu. The entire letter was advising Israel ways to increase their ‘social media’ presence as Kirk believed that part of the reason why there is so much animosity toward Israel is that they have not ‘marketed’ their values and goals well.
I don’t know why they go on these programs. Just release a YT video explaining the important issues.
Abba Evan famously said that the Pals never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. I fear they are doing this again. They are so blinded by Jew hate that they are unable to do the one thing that will actually help them.
Very sad and so unnecessary.
Rubio is dancing.
In a round about way, they are creating a Palestinian state while denying it.
Margaret, Randy-in-Red, Brennan and Snow White wannabe Kristen Welker are remarkably unlikeable women.
Marco Rubio impresses me more every time I watch him. He understands and honestly explains the reality of a situation.
That aint little Marco that ran against PDJT
Does Margaret know how clueless she looks? Why is she so thick?
No mention of Rubio’s leaked emails? The ones where Larry Ellison and former Israeli UN Ambassador Ron Prosor discuss Ellison’s vetting of Marco Rubio’s pro-Israel credentials before supporting him. Is Rubio an honest negotiator?