The United States has held direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks over the release of the US hostages held in Gaza and the possibility of a broader deal to end the war, Axios reported citing two sources. The report confirmed that the US never engaged directly with Hamas before, as it designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.
The meetings were held in secrecy between US presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler and Hamas officials. Israel was not informed of what was discussed at these direct meetings as the report said that Israel learnt “about aspects of the talks through other channels”. However, the Trump administration consulted with Israel about the possibility of engaging with Hamas, the report added.
US-Hamas secret meetings: What was discussed?
The Axios report said that the talks mainly focused in part on the release of US hostages. But there were also discussions of a broader deal to release all remaining hostages. White House envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Doha this week to meet the prime minister of Qatar about the ceasefire negotiations but cancelled the trip on Tuesday night after he saw there was no progress from Hamas’ side, a US official said, according to the Axios report.
Gaza truce hangs by a thread as the first phase is over
The first phase of the Gaza truce ended without any agreement on the second phase or extending the first phase while Israel blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza after Hamas rejected Israel’s proposal to extend the ceasefire without any commitment to end war or fully withdraw troops. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreement, calling its decision to halt humanitarian aid “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime.”
The first phase of the agreement came into effect on January 19 and expired last weekend after 42 days. The first phase was intended to free 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas released 38 hostages over 39 days. Israel released 1,737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 120 women and children.
Israel wants to extend the first phase of the deal for another 42 days. Hamas is seeking negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza under the second phase of the truce.