False choice between freeing hostages, ousting Hamas, Boehler said

“If Hamas wants to come forward and make a legitimate offer they’re willing to stand by and release hostages, we’re always open to that,” the U.S. hostage affairs envoy said. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) had stated unequivocally that “we have to completely destroy Hamas” at a conference at the Pierre hotel in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. But on his way out, he was intercepted by relatives of Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli hostage held captive by Hamas in Gaza, and his comments grew more nuanced. Many families of the hostages and other Israelis are calling for an immediate deal to free the remaining captives in the Gaza Strip, even if Hamas retains power for the time being (Read more at JNS).