Trump administration has been conducting covert talks with Hamas over the possible release of American hostages in Gaza and a larger ceasefire deal, a report by Axios said.
Quoting sources privy to the negotiations, the report informs that US special hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has been having direct negotiations with Hamas in Doha over the last few weeks. The talks have been mainly to release American hostages, although an agreement covering all the remaining captives and a long-term ceasefire is also being considered.
This is a breakthrough because, previously, the United States never directly dealt with Hamas, which it had declared a terrorist group in 1997. Though Israel was not technically a part of these talks, it is said to have been briefed on some of the details by other means.
In spite of all these attempts, no deal has been achieved yet. In the meantime, White House envoy Steve Witkoff postponed a scheduled visit to Doha this week to sit down with Qatar’s prime minister due to a lack of progress in talks with Hamas.
The Trump administration strategy is a sharp departure from policies of previous President Joe Biden, especially in being willing to pursue direct negotiations with Hamas. Trump has also set out a potential US takeover of Gaza, further elevating the tone of the conflict within the administration.
Now, 59 hostages are still being held by Hamas, with Israeli authorities confirming 35 have been murdered. Intelligence estimates that 22 are alive, although two others’ status is unknown. Five Americans are among them, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander, who is believed to be alive.
As a 42-day truce expired and Israel barred humanitarian relief to Gaza, fears of a looming famine continue to increase. The Israeli government and the White House remain silent on these developments.
