Arabian Post –
In a historic shift, the White House has confirmed that U.S. officials are engaging in direct talks with Hamas, aiming to secure the release of American hostages held in Gaza. This development marks a departure from the longstanding U.S. policy of avoiding direct negotiations with the group designated as a terrorist organization since 1997.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged these discussions, stating, “These are ongoing talks and discussions; I’m not going to detail them here, as there are American lives at stake.” The negotiations, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries, have taken place in Doha over the past month.
Among the hostages is 21-year-old Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli dual citizen abducted during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which escalated into the current Gaza conflict. The U.S. aims to secure the release of all American hostages and retrieve the bodies of four deceased U.S. citizens.
President Donald Trump has issued stern warnings to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages. He stated that failure to comply would result in severe consequences for both Hamas and Gaza. Simultaneously, Trump has assured unwavering support to Israel, promising additional aid for Israeli defense.
The decision to engage directly with Hamas has elicited mixed reactions. Israel, which has imposed a blockade on Gaza and is advocating for a truce, has expressed displeasure with this engagement. Reports suggest that the Trump administration did not consult Israel beforehand, adding to the tension.
via White House Engages in Unprecedented Direct Negotiations with Hamas