The Trump administration is negotiating with Hamas directly as the terror group continues to hold Americans hostage in Gaza, the White House confirmed Wednesday.
“The special envoy who’s engaged in this negotiation does have the authority to talk to anyone. Israel was consulted on this matter,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a briefing.
“Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interests of the American people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is a good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
Leavitt appeared to be referring to Adam Boehler, Trump’s hostage envoy. Axios first reported on the unprecedented talks and said Boehler was holding them, citing two sources with direct knowledge. Leavitt did not go into further detail about the talks and referred reporters to the State Department.
“These are ongoing talks and discussions. I’m not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake. I would defer you to the Department of State for further details, but I’m not going to get into those talks,” Leavitt said.
At least one American hostage, 21-year-old Edan Alexander, is believed to be alive. Hamas terrorists kidnapped Alexander during the October 7, 2023, massacre when he was serving as a volunteer with the Israeli military. Alexander volunteered with the Israeli Defense Forces after graduating from Tenafly High School in New Jersey.
Hamas’s slaughter of more than 1,200 innocent civilians and capture of over 250 hostages sparked Israel’s multi-front war against the Iranian regime’s terrorist proxy organizations. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar brokered a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel in January, pausing the conflict after almost 500 days of fighting.
Over the past few weeks, Hamas has released 33 hostages — 25 living and eight deceased — in exchange for Israel turning over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, including murderers and terrorists. The first stage of the fragile cease-fire deal recently concluded and Israel has said it will block the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas agrees to an extension.
Israel said Hamas rejected a framework proposed by U.S. Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, prompting the suspension of humanitarian aid. Israeli officials have proposed an extension of the cease-fire through Ramadan and Passover, with hostage releases occurring at the beginning and end of the time frame. Hamas rejected Israel’s offer and said it wanted to abide by the original terms of the agreement.
In the second phase of the deal, Hamas would have to continue releasing hostages in exchange for Israeli forces pulling out of Gaza and a permanent cease-fire. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the terms of the cease-fire by holding up humanitarian aid to Gaza.