US holds unprecedented secret talks with Hamas over release of American hostages being held in Gaza: Reports
The Donald Trump administration has been conducting secret talks with Hamas on the possibility of releasing American hostages being held in Gaza, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing two unnamed sources who have direct knowledge regarding the meetings.
The talk gains special significance as the US never engaged with Hamas directly before since the group was designated as a terrorist organisation in 1997.
US presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler held talks with Hamas in Doha in the past weeks.
Although the US government had spoken to Israel about the possibility of holding talks with Hamas, Jerusalem learned about the same through other channels.
The talks are concentrating on American hostages, but according to Axios' sources, discussions regarding a broader deal to release all remaining hostages have also been had.
However, no deal over a long-term truce has been reached so far.
Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the White House, planned to meet the prime minister of Qatar regarding ceasefire negotiations, but cancelled the trip after he saw that there was no interest from Hamas, according to reports.
Trump has repeatedly threatened Hamas with "hell to pay" and has even proposed a US takeover of Gaza.
Secretive negotiations with Hamas are something other administrations have not explored.
Currently, Hamas holds 59 hostages in Gaza with the Israel Defense Forces confirming 35 being dead. Among the remaining hostages, there are 5 American hostages.
The first phase of the Gaza hostage deal expired on Saturday and no agreement has been made to extend the deal.
Although the war has not resumed, Israel has paused all aid going into Gaza amid threats of famine.
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