The White House has confirmed direct talks between US officials and Hamas as the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance.
This represents the first direct communication between the US and Hamas since the group was designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department in 1997.
The US has long avoided direct contact with Hamas, which launched a deadly cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and sparking the ongoing Gaza war. But White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump authorized his representatives to “talk to anyone” in pursuit of American interests.
Talking and conversing with individuals across the globe to act in the best interest of the American people is something that is a good-faith effort, according to the president,” Leavitt said, refusing to discuss the details of the talks. She also confirmed Israel was consulted but refused to say when.
Following these remarks, Trump took to Truth Social to issue a “last warning” to Hamas, demanding the release of all remaining hostages. He also reaffirmed US support for Israel, stating, “I’m sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.”
Ceasefire Talks Uncertain
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office briefly acknowledged the US-Hamas talks, saying Israel had expressed its position to Washington.
Israeli officials believe that some 24 hostages, including American Edan Alexander, remain alive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 35 others. Four other US hostages are confirmed dead, but their bodies have not been recovered.
Trump’s nominee for special envoy on hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, led the direct talks with Hamas. Boehler, one of the main architects of the Abraham Accords, placed the freedom of the American hostages and a potential conclusion to the conflict—without Hamas maintaining its grip on Gaza—at the top of the agenda.
One Hamas official, speaking anonymously, reported no progress but described the talks as “promising,” and that more talks were expected. Egyptian and Qatari mediators facilitated the negotiations.
The talks are ongoing as efforts for a truce remain on hold. Under a new US-backed proposal, Hamas would release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a long-term truce. However, unlike in a previous deal, Israel has not pledged to release more Palestinian prisoners.
Combat in Gaza has been suspended since January 19, during which period Hamas has freed 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais in return for about 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
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