US-Hamas Direct Talks: What is happening and what follows | Israel-Palestine News of Conflict
White house confirmed That Trump’s administration has become involved in direct conversations with Hamas, saying that discussions are aligned with American interests.
Subsequently, President Donald Trump threatened Palestinians in Gaza deadly consequences if not all captives were released.
Here’s what we know:
What do we know about the direct conversations of the US-Hamas?
Discussions, which made Qatar’s mediators facilitated, were reportedly for weeks, but became more obvious in early March 2025.
This is the first time in decades that have been directly negotiating with Hamas, a significant departure from US politics, which has excluded direct engagement with a group that in 1997 she appointed a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
Instead, he relied on the mediators – recently Qatar and Egypt – to communicate with Hamas.
They focused on the insurance of the release of 21-year-old Edan Alexander, the only Israeli-American prisoner who is still believed to be alive, along with the bodies of four other Israeli Americans who were taken to Gaza on October 7th.
Axios, who first reported The conversations also said that the discussions included a possible broader agreement on the liberation of all the remaining prisoners and the establishment of a long -term tribute.
Wall Street Journal reported that the conversations were held last month in Doha and led to the release of Sagui Dekel Chen, an Israeli-American dual citizen, February 15th.
Who is Adam Boehler?
Adam Boehler, an American presidential hostage envoy, had direct conversations with Hamas.
He was also a key negotiator of Abraham’s agreements during Trump’s first term, working to expand the normalization of Israel with the Arab world.
What did Trump say?
After the report, Trump issued a strong warning Hamas in a post on social networks on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of all prisoners.
He spoke directly to the people. “Also, people from Gaza: Waiting for a wonderful future, but not if you keep hostage. If you do, you are dead! Make a smart decision,” Trump wrote.
He said he would send Israel “All that needed to finish the job” and warned, “No Hamas member will be sure if you don’t do it as I say.”
Trump advocated for ethnic cleansing of the Gaza population and the US “takes” Palestinian territory, adding that his “plan” would not allow Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza.
How did Hamas react?
Hamas was not an official response to talks reports.
The Hamas official told the Associated Press news agency that the conversations focused on the release of Israeli prisoners and “promised”.
Responding to Trump’s threats, spokesman Hamas Hamas Qasssem said they “complicate questions about the fire interruption agreement and encourage [Israel] Refrain from implementing his conditions, “according to the Anadol News Agency.
“Hamas implemented all his obligations in the first phase, but Israel avoids entering the second phase,” Qassem added. “The US administration is obliged to put pressure on the occupation to enter into negotiations for the second phase.”
How many prisoners are currently holding Hamas?
Israel says 59 prisoners are still being held in Gaza, 24 of whom believed they were alive. He says bodies at least 35 others remain in Hamas’s custody.
Hamas captured about 250 prisoners during the attack on southern Israel, according to the Israeli government. More than 100 were released during a weekly tribute at the end of 2023.
In February, during the first phase of the tribute, Hamas released 25 living prisoners and bodies for eight more in exchange for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
The negotiating fire between Israel and Hamas was negotiating with mediation from Qatar, Egypt and the US. Exchange of closed prisons, the delivery of humanitarian aid and a break in military operations marked the first phase.
Discussions about the progress of the second phase of the agreement – which include the release of the remaining 59 prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the permanent end of the war – Israel held.
How did Israel respond to conversations?
Trump’s administration allegedly consulted Israel on a potential direct engagement with Hamas. However, according to Axios, the Israelis learned about the aspects of conversation through other channels.
The Karolina Leavitt White House secretary said, “Israel was advised about this issue.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has announced a statement in which it “expressed its opinion” US.
Israeli Consul General in New York, from Akunis, told Fox News: “A new attitude from the White House … against Hamas. They can talk to Hamas, that’s fine.”
What is next?
Despite direct conversations, Gaza is a dedication in the recess.
Hamas responded to Trump’s threats, saying that the US supported Netanyahu’s attempts to withdraw from the second phase of the trial agreement and further starve and besieged Palestine in Gaza.
Egypt also suggested that Israel did not want to fulfill its end of the agreement.
“Only the first phase has been implemented so far, but now the party is trying to withdraw from its obligations,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the State news agency QNA in Catara on Wednesday.
The triggered coast could be devastating to the Palestinians in Gaza who suffered nearly 17 months of Israeli attacks and siege tactics.
On Sunday, Israel said he would block all the help in Gaza to press Hamas to accept the extension of the first phase of the tribute, which immediately caused the food prices in Gaza to shoot. Even during the truce, the locals reported Israeli artillery fiery and air attacks on Gaza.
The first phase of the tribute expired on March 1. Special American envoy Steve Witkoff suggested an extension of the first phase and six weeks. Netanyahu agreed to the proposal, but Hamas opposed it, referring to a contract to move to the second phase as agreed earlier.
