Report: US Holds Secret Talks with Hamas on Gaza Hostages

Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
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Report: US Holds Secret Talks with Hamas on Gaza Hostages

Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
Hamas fighters escort Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)

The Trump administration has been conducting secret talks with the Palestinian group Hamas on the possibility of releasing US hostages being held in Gaza, two sources briefed on the conversations told Reuters.

US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler has been holding the direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks in Doha, the sources said, confirming a report by Axios.

Until recently the US had avoided direct discussions with the group. The US State Department designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.

Such talks run counter to long-standing US policy against direct contacts with groups that Washington lists as terrorist organizations.

The previous US role in helping to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war has been dealing with Israel and Qatari and Egyptian mediators but without any known direct communications between Washington and Hamas.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boehler's office declined to comment.

It was unclear when or how the Israeli government was informed of the talks.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did representatives for Hamas.

The sources said the talks have focused on gaining the release of American hostages still held in Gaza, but one said they also have included discussions about a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and how to reach a long-term truce.

One of the sources said the effort includes an attempt to gain the release of Edan Alexander, of Tenafly, New Jersey, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the region in coming days to work out a way to either extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal or advance to the second phase, a State Department spokesperson said on Monday.



Israeli Army Prepares ‘Final Escalation’ in Gaza

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on Friday (AFP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on Friday (AFP)
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Israeli Army Prepares ‘Final Escalation’ in Gaza

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on Friday (AFP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, on Friday (AFP)

As US President Donald Trump advances a plan to end the war in Gaza as part of a broader Middle East strategy, Israeli polls show that 61% of Israelis support halting the fighting in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Despite this, military sources in Tel Aviv revealed that the Israeli army, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval, is preparing a large-scale campaign dubbed the “Final Escalation.”

The goal is to inflict maximum damage on Hamas’s remaining capabilities and prevent the group from claiming victory.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the army will redeploy the Fifth Division, which was previously withdrawn to confront Iran. Asked whether this escalation could complicate negotiations and harden Hamas’s stance, officials said such decisions rest with the political leadership.

Meanwhile, Hebrew media outlets reported that Trump is pressing ahead with what has been called a “grand bargain,” involving ending the war, securing hostage releases, and expanding normalization agreements with Arab states. Reports indicate Netanyahu is planning a visit to the US to meet Trump, following intense talks between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.

In a video statement, Netanyahu said: “Victory opens the chance to significantly expand peace agreements alongside the release of our hostages. This opportunity must not be missed.”

Israeli Channel 13 quoted officials describing “dramatic moves” underway in the region. American sources told Yedioth Ahronoth that efforts to reach a breakthrough in the hostage talks have gained momentum since the attack on Iran. Israeli officials said Netanyahu wants any agreement finalized at the highest levels, rather than sending delegations to Cairo or Doha.

The emerging proposal reportedly includes ending the war, returning 50 Israeli hostages, and broadening the Abraham Accords. According to Channel 12, families of the hostages have received messages from senior US officials that a comprehensive agreement is being pursued to end the conflict.

Israel Hayom reported that a four-way call took place after the US strike on Iranian facilities, involving Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu, and Dermer. Sources described them as “extremely euphoric,” eager to advance further steps.

Although Netanyahu’s office declined to comment, his ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir warned against any negotiations on a Palestinian state, prompting Netanyahu to issue a statement denying any such discussions or the reported call.