The White Home has confirmed that the Trump administration engaged in direct talks with Hamas, saying the discussions align with US pursuits.
Following this, President Donald Trump threatened Palestinians in Gaza with lethal penalties if all captives weren’t launched.
Here’s what we all know:
What do we all know in regards to the US-Hamas direct talks?
The discussions, facilitated by Qatari intermediaries, have reportedly been ongoing for weeks however grew to become extra evident in early March 2025.
That is the primary time in a long time that america negotiated immediately with Hamas, a big departure from US coverage, which dominated out direct engagement with the group that it designated a International Terrorist Group (FTO) in 1997.
As a substitute, it relied on intermediaries – most not too long ago Qatar and Egypt – to speak with Hamas.
They centered on securing the discharge of 21-year-old Edan Alexander, the one Israeli-American captive nonetheless believed to be alive, together with the our bodies of 4 different Israeli People who have been taken to Gaza on October 7.
Axios, which first reported the talks, additionally stated the discussions included a attainable broader settlement to launch all remaining captives and set up a long-term truce.
The Wall Avenue Journal reported that talks passed off final month in Doha and led to the discharge of Sagui Dekel Chen, an Israeli-American twin citizen, on February 15.
Who’s Adam Boehler?
Adam Boehler, the US presidential envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas.
He was additionally a key negotiator on the Abraham Accords throughout Trump’s first time period, working to develop Israel’s normalisation with the Arab world.
What did Trump say?
Following the report, Trump issued a powerful warning to Hamas in a social media put up on Wednesday, demanding the speedy launch of all captives.
He addressed the folks of Gaza immediately. “Additionally, to the Individuals of Gaza: A phenomenal Future awaits, however not should you maintain Hostages. For those who do, you might be DEAD! Make a SMART resolution,” Trump wrote.
He stated he would ship Israel “all the pieces it wants to complete the job”, and warned, “Not a single Hamas member will likely be protected should you don’t do as I say.”
Trump has advocated for the ethnic cleaning of Gaza’s inhabitants and the US “take over” of the Palestinian territory, including later that his “plan” wouldn’t permit Palestinians to return to their properties in Gaza.
How has Hamas reacted?
There was no official response by Hamas to the reviews of talks.
A Hamas official instructed The Related Press information company that the talks centered on releasing Israeli captives and have been “promising”.
Responding to Trump’s threats, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated they “complicate issues concerning the ceasefire settlement and encourage [Israel] to chorus from implementing its phrases”, in keeping with Anadolu information company.
“Hamas carried out all its obligations underneath section one, however Israel is avoiding getting into section two,” Qassem added. “The US administration is required to stress the occupation to enter negotiations for the second section.”
What number of captives are at the moment held by Hamas?
Israel says 59 captives are nonetheless being held in Gaza, 24 of them believed to be alive. It says the our bodies of at the least 35 others stay in Hamas’s custody.
Hamas captured roughly 250 captives throughout their assault on southern Israel, in keeping with the Israeli authorities. Greater than 100 have been launched throughout a weeklong truce in late 2023.
In February, throughout the first section of the ceasefire, Hamas launched 25 residing captives and the our bodies of eight extra in change for roughly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was negotiated with mediation from Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Captive-prisoner exchanges, humanitarian support supply, and a pause in navy operations marked the primary section.
Discussions on advancing to the second section of the settlement – which includes the discharge of the remaining 59 captives, a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a everlasting finish to the struggle – have been held up by Israel.
How has Israel reacted to the talks?
The Trump administration reportedly consulted Israel about potential direct engagement with Hamas. Nonetheless, in keeping with Axios, the Israelis discovered about elements of the talks by way of different channels.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: “Israel was consulted on this matter.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Workplace launched an announcement saying it “expressed its opinion” to the US.
Israel’s consul basic in New York, Ofir Akunis, instructed Fox Information: “There’s a new angle from the White Home … towards Hamas. They will speak with Hamas, that’s OK.”
What’s subsequent?
Regardless of the direct talks, Gaza’s ceasefire is in limbo.
Hamas responded to Trump’s threats by saying the US is supporting Netanyahu’s makes an attempt to again out of the second section of the ceasefire settlement and additional starve and besiege Palestinians in Gaza.
Egypt has additionally instructed Israel shouldn’t be trying to fulfil its finish of the settlement.
“Up to now, solely the primary section has been carried out, however now a celebration is trying to again out of its obligations,” Egypt’s International Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Qatari state information company QNA on Wednesday.
A derailed ceasefire might be disastrous for Palestinians in Gaza who’ve suffered near 17 months of Israeli assaults and siege ways.
On Sunday, Israel stated it will block all support into Gaza to stress Hamas to just accept an extension of section one of many ceasefire, instantly inflicting meals costs in Gaza to shoot up. Even throughout the ceasefire, locals reported Israeli artillery hearth and air assaults on Gaza.
The primary section of the ceasefire expired on March 1. US Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed extending section one by six weeks. Netanyahu agreed to the proposition, however Hamas opposed it, calling for the deal to proceed to the second section as beforehand agreed.
