This Fox News “America Reports” segment from October 14, 2025, features an interview with Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, discussing recent hostage releases and the Middle East situation.
Key Topics Covered:
Hostage Recovery: The interview focuses on “Freed Hostages Recovering in Tel Aviv Hospital,” noting that the first phase of a peace plan has been completed. There are remains of deceased hostages that will be returned to their families.
Optimism and Challenges: Oren expresses cautious optimism about the fragile peace agreement but acknowledges that phase two will face complications. He notes that currently, only 200 US troops are on the ground, and Israel won’t receive direct military support for ground operations.
Hamas Capabilities: Hamas is described as a terrorist organization with significant destructive capabilities across Gaza. The discussion covers Hamas’s use of human shields, weapons caches, and strategic infrastructure throughout the region, from Gaza City to areas like Cairo, Riyadh, and Doha.
Pressure Campaign: Oren discusses pressure put by President Trump on Arab nations regarding Hamas, mentioning Arab leaders in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. He notes that Iran’s capital Qatar has been pressuring various actors.
Regional Dynamics: The conversation touches on Iran-Israel tensions, with Oren mentioning that Iran has threatened Israel and that Hamas serves as Iran’s proxy in the region.
Future Outlook: Oren emphasizes skepticism about Hamas laying down arms, comparing the situation to historical precedents. He expresses that Iran won’t renounce terrorism and questions whether the current regime under Khomeini (who is 86 years old) could represent a better future.
Concluding Remarks: The segment ends with Oren expressing some cautious optimism about “the president’s optimism here” regarding the situation’s eventual resolution. He thanks the host for the interview opportunity.
