SECRETARY RUBIO: [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.
QUESTION: How - how quickly can you get those hostages home?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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).
QUESTION: Did you ever —
QUESTION: Do you plan to go - I know that there's a group of foreign ministers that are supposed to be meeting in France. Do you plan to attend it?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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.
QUESTION: Would you support the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza at the same timeline as the hostage release?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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.
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.
QUESTION: Do you expect —
QUESTION: Sir, what's your sense on the (inaudible)?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Just an update. We talk a lot about the deal. Pretty much what I'm telling you now.
QUESTION: And did you talk about the AUMF vote this afternoon on Venezuela?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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.
QUESTION: Do you believe the President has this power to strike these boats on his own without authorization from Congress?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. This is - no, these are targeted strikes against imminent threats against the United States.
QUESTION: Do you expect —
QUESTION: On Gaza, with the Board of Peace, beyond Trump and Tony Blair, who else is the administration considering to appoint to that board?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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.
QUESTION: Do you expect that the President would travel with you to the Middle East if a ceasefire agreement was reached?
SECRETARY RUBIO: 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.
Okay? Thank you, guys.
QUESTION: Thank you. Thank you, Secretary.
QUESTION: Thank you, Secretary.
