Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the press on October 8, 2025, addressing ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and the situation in Gaza. Rubio expressed cautious optimism about reaching a deal that would lead to the release of all hostages. "I feel optimistic that we’re going to get to a deal, hopefully, that hostages will be released — all the hostages. There’s good progress being made. There’s still some work to be done. And obviously, part of that will be the end of hostilities, and then we’ll move on to the intense work on how do you demobilize radical groups inside of Gaza and create a path for a better future for the people in Gaza. But it all begins with all the hostages coming home, and I think we have to be optimistic, but there’s still some work to be done," Rubio said.
When asked about the timeline for hostage releases, Rubio stated, "Well, almost immediately, certainly the ones that are alive. We’re going to – we’d like to see them released within 72 hours the way the outline of the deal calls for. We’re getting very positive reports, as of an hour ago. I guess it’s nightfall over there already, but we feel we’ve made a lot of progress today, but there’s still work to be done. But it’s been good, positive reports (inaudible)."
Rubio also addressed his travel plans, indicating a shift from attending a meeting in France to potentially traveling to the Middle East due to rapid developments. "I was planning to attend, and I’ve canceled it because I may be traveling to the Middle East instead. Because things have moved so quickly that we may – we think we may need to be there pretty soon," he said.
On whether he would support Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza concurrent with hostage releases, Rubio explained, "Well, the framework calls for a pullback to certain lines, and that’s going to – that’s what they’ve been working on today. So there will be a pullback to lines comparable to what you saw maybe in mid-August and things of that nature. That’s part of the framework, and Hamas agreed to that in their written response. So – but those details are being worked on right now. Those are some of the – but some pullback will be a part of that."
He added that an international group involving Arab partners would play a role in establishing a transition toward peace and providing humanitarian assistance: "And ultimately, then you need to have the area behind the line that Israel is standing, and that’s where they’re going to have the international group come in with our Arab partners and begin to create the framework for a transition to peace, prosperity, and obviously immediate humanitarian assistance."
Rubio also commented on domestic issues related to Venezuela and U.S. security concerns: "Yeah, I hope they’ll vote it down. These drug trafficking organizations are a direct threat to the safety and security of the United States. They unleash violence and criminality on our streets, fueled by the drugs and the drug profits that they make. And the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, has an obligation to keep our country safe." He affirmed his belief in presidential authority for targeted strikes against imminent threats: "Yes. This is – no, these are targeted strikes against imminent threats against the United States."
Regarding potential appointments for a Board of Peace focused on Gaza beyond former officials like Donald Trump and Tony Blair, Rubio stated: "Well, I imagine every one of our partners in the region will have representatives on there as well. It would have to be in order for it to succeed."
When asked if President Biden might travel with him should a ceasefire agreement be reached, Rubio replied: "Potentially. I don’t – the President will have to make that decision, but I anticipate that he would be interested in doing so if the timing could work. Like I said, good progress has been made today. Events are moving in a good direction, but there’s still some work to be done. We’ve been here before in the past and been disappointed, so we – but I know there’s a lot of hard work going into this, and developments are happening by the hour."
The Secretary concluded by thanking reporters.
