The White House on Saturday said that the United States has withdrawn the nomination of Adam Boehler to serve as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.

It was gathered that Boehler, who has been working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, will continue hostage-related work as a so-called special government employee, a position that would not need Senate confirmation.

White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Adam Boehler would continue to serve President Trump as a special government employee focused on hostage negotiations.

“Adam played a critical role in negotiating the return of Marc Fogel from Russia. He will continue this important work to bring wrongfully detained individuals around the world home,” Leavitt said.

Boehler recently held direct meetings with Hamas on the release of hostages in Gaza.

The discussions broke with a decades-old policy by Washington against negotiating with groups that the US brands as terrorist organizations.

The talks reportedly infuriated some Senate Republicans and some Israeli leaders.

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer expressed his displeasure to Boehler in a tense phone call last week.

According to Israeli tallies, Hamas carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.

Gaza health ministry said that Israel responded with an offensive into the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians.