U.S. Engages in Unprecedented Talks with Hamas Over Hostages in Gaza
The Trump administration discusses the release of American-Israeli hostages and a broader deal for Gaza, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Watan-On Wednesday, the White House announced that U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, has the authority to negotiate directly with the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) after sources revealed that Boehler is holding discussions with the group regarding the release of hostages in Gaza.
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt told reporters, “When it comes to the negotiations you’re referring to, first and foremost, the special envoy who has been involved in those negotiations has the authority.”
She added that Israel has been consulted, and stated that Boehler’s work “is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
U.S. Engages in Talks with Hamas Over Israeli-American Hostages in Gaza
Earlier on Wednesday, Axios reported that the Trump administration had engaged in direct talks with Hamas regarding the release of Israeli prisoners in Gaza who hold American citizenship.
No official statement has been issued from Hamas or the Trump administration as of 16:10 (GMT).
The American news outlet, citing sources it described as “informed,” reported that U.S. presidential envoy Adam Boehler had met with Hamas officials in Doha in recent weeks.
The sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss these sensitive meetings, said the primary goal of the talks was the release of the Israelis with American citizenship, which falls under Boehler’s responsibilities.
The discussions also reportedly involved a broader deal that included the release of all remaining prisoners in Gaza and reaching a long-term ceasefire.
Sources indicated that no agreement was reached during these talks.
U.S.-Hamas Talks on Gaza Prisoners Unprecedented, While Israel Faces Stalemate on Ceasefire Phases
They also mentioned that the Trump administration had consulted with Israel about contacting Hamas, but Tel Aviv learned of the discussions through private channels.
Axios described these talks as “unprecedented,” as the U.S. has never directly engaged with Hamas, which it designated a “terrorist organization” in 1997.
The report also noted that there are still 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting that 35 of them have been killed.
Israeli intelligence believes that 22 prisoners are still alive, while the status of two others is unknown.
Among the remaining prisoners, five are U.S. citizens, one of whom is 21-year-old Aidan Alexander, who is believed to still be alive.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew newspaper Jerusalem Post, citing two anonymous sources, confirmed that the U.S. government held direct talks with Hamas in Doha.
The sources added that Israel had been informed of the details of these discussions.
The message the U.S. conveyed to Hamas officials was: “Show goodwill, move things forward, and release the prisoners—including the Americans—so that concrete progress can be made.”
Israel Refuses to Enter Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement as Tensions Rise
At midnight on Saturday/Sunday, the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which lasted 42 days, ended, while Israel refused to enter the second phase and end the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to extend the first phase of the agreement, which began on January 19, 2025, to release as many Israeli prisoners as possible in Gaza without offering any reciprocal action or completing the military and humanitarian obligations imposed in the agreement, in order to appease extremists in his government.
In contrast, Hamas confirms its commitment to implement the agreement and demands Israel’s adherence to all its terms, urging mediators to immediately begin negotiations for the second phase, which includes Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete cessation of the war.
With U.S. support, Israel committed genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025, leaving over 160,000 Palestinians dead or injured, most of whom were women and children, and more than 14,000 missing.
With the first phase of the ceasefire agreement now over, Israel has again closed all crossings to Gaza, blocking humanitarian aid to use starvation as leverage on Hamas to force it to accept its demands.
Israel also threatens further escalatory actions, including cutting water and electricity, potentially leading to the resumption of its genocidal war.
