The White House explains to us efforts in negotiating with Hamas to release American hostages
White house secretary Caroline Leavitt They defended American efforts in negotiating with Hamas to release American hostages on Wednesday during briefing.
There are currently five hostages with US citizenship in Gaza, although most are afraid of dead.
During a press conference, Fox News Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy Asked Leavittta that plans for negotiations on falling with a long -standing policy not to negotiate with terrorists.
“If they now have a long -standing policy not to negotiate with terrorists, why are they now negotiating now directly and ever with Hamas for the first time?” Doocy asked.
“Well, when it comes to negotiations you think, above all, a special envoy who deals with these negotiations has the authority to talk to anyone,” Leavitt replied.
The Karolina Leavitt White House secretary asks questions to members of the newspaper media in the briefing room on Wednesday, Wednesday, Washington, DC (Reuters/Leah Millis)
She added that Israel “advised about the matter” and that the president Donald Trump believes in bringing “good faith[s] do what is right for the American people. “
“Is it just hostages or do they tell the president’s plan to take over power?” Doocy asked.
“These are talks and discussions. I will not describe them in detail here,” Leavitt said. “These are American lives. I would invite you to the State Ministry, for further details, but at this point I will not go into those conversations.”
The Karolina Leavitt White House secretary is held for journalists on Wednesday at the White House in Washington, DC. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
In response to Leavittt’s statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a statement saying: “In conversations with the United States, Israel expressed his opinion on direct conversations with Hamas.”
The latest comments come because the next phase of the tribute between Israel and Hamas seems uncertain. AND White house He announced the support of the criticism of the Israeli government according to Hamas officials, including recently supporting the Decision on Blocking Gazi until the Hamas leaders agree to extend the interruption of fire.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the White House in Washington, DC, February 4, 2025. (Reuters/Elizabeth France)
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In a statement received on Sunday by Fox News, a spokesman for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes, said Israel “negotiated in good faith from the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages trapped by Hamas terrorists.”
“We will support their decision on the following steps, given that Hamas indicated that he was no longer interested in the truce,” Hughes added.
Fox News’ Yonat Fringing contributed to this report.
