US engages in first-ever ‘secret’ talks with Hamas over hostages, cease-fire: Report
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands following a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on Feb. 04, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The United States has reportedly held “direct” and “secret” talks with the Palestinian group Hamas for the first time, aiming to secure the release of American hostages held in the Gaza Strip and discuss a potential broader cease-fire agreement, U.S. media outlet Axios reported Wednesday.
The news outlet, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions, said the talks are being led by U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler.
The meetings allegedly took place in the Qatar capital in recent weeks.
The U.S. reportedly consulted Israel but did not fully disclose the scope of the talks, leading Israel to learn details through other channels.
No progress from Hamas’ side
A U.S. official, meanwhile, told the outlet that U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff canceled a trip to Doha earlier this week after “determining there was no progress from Hamas’ side.”
There was no confirmation or denial from any official source about the details or the scope of the talks.
The talks come amid a devastating war in Gaza, where nearly 48,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israel since October 2023.
A temporary cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement, which began Jan. 19, briefly halted the violence but has since collapsed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to negotiate the second phase of the three-phase deal, instead seeking to extend the first phase. Hamas, however, insists on negotiations on the second phase, including a full Israeli withdrawal and a complete end to the war.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
White House confirms talks
In a related development, White House confirmed Wednesday that the Trump administration is in direct dialogue with the Palestinian group, Hamas, maintaining that discussions are in the U.S. interest.
Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Israel was consulted “on this matter” and the talks are “ongoing.”
Leavitt declined to specify the scope of the discussions, including whether they are solely about the release of additional hostages held by Hamas, or if they address Trump’s widely-panned proposal to take ownership of the besieged Gaza Strip.
“Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do the best interests of the American people is something that the president has proven, is what he believes is good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she told reporters at the White House.
Hamas held talks with US, says Palestinian source
U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler met with officials from the Palestinian group Hamas in Doha, Qatar, to discuss positions on a potential deal for the release of Israeli prisoners holding American citizenship, a well-informed Palestinian source said Wednesday.
Speaking to Turkish news agency Anadolu on condition of anonymity, the source said these talks took place weeks ago, noting that this was not the first time such meetings had occurred.
The source also added that Hamas conveyed to the U.S. envoy its willingness to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the war with Israel while emphasizing the necessity of moving forward to the second phase of a ceasefire agreement which has been under way since January.
