Secret talks underway: US engages directly with Hamas over hostages

It has been revealed that the Trump administration is conducting direct secret negotiations with Hamas regarding US citizen Israeli hostages in Gaza and the possibility of a broader agreement with Israel.

According to a report by Axios, a US-based publication, citing two sources familiar with the secret negotiations, the US has established direct contact with Hamas for the first time. The report stated that US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler met with Hamas officials in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The sources indicated that the negotiations focused on the release of hostages with dual Israeli-US citizenship, and the possibility of a more comprehensive agreement for the release of all hostages and a long-term ceasefire was also among the topics discussed. The sources noted that the Trump administration consulted with Israel on communicating with Hamas, but Tel Aviv was informed of the scope of the talks through different channels. It was also emphasized that no agreement was reached in these negotiations.

While Axios reported this meeting as the first, a Palestinian source speaking to Anadolu Agency said that this meeting, which took place a few weeks ago, was not the first. According to the source, Hamas emphasized the necessity of moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in its meeting with the US representative. Hamas also pointed out that “the release of captured soldiers is not the same as the release of civilian prisoners.”

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US is in direct talks with Hamas.

Leavitt stated, “The special representative (Steve Witkoff) leading these negotiations has the authority to speak with everyone, and Israel was consulted on this matter. These are ongoing negotiations, so I will not go into detail at this time. The lives of Americans are at stake.” The White House spokesperson said that they hold many meetings around the world in line with the country’s interests and try to do what is right for the American people.

It is estimated that there are currently 59 Israeli hostages in Gaza, five of whom are also believed to have American citizenship.

As part of the prisoner exchange in the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement reached between Hamas and Israel on January 19, over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons were released, while 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 25 alive and 8 deceased, were handed over.