The United States has broken a longstanding diplomatic policy by engaging in secret negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages held in Gaza, sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued a direct threat to the Palestinian militant group, warning of “hell to pay” if it fails to comply.
U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has been granted authority to speak directly with Hamas, the White House confirmed, marking a major departure from decades of U.S. policy against negotiating with groups designated as terrorist organizations.
According to two sources familiar with the discussions, Boehler met with Hamas officials in Doha in recent weeks, though it remains unclear who represented the group in the talks. The negotiations signify a shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy, which has traditionally relied on Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators rather than direct engagement with Hamas.
At the White House, Trump met with recently released hostages and followed up with a forceful statement on social media.
“Hamas must release all of the hostages now, not later, including the remains of the dead, or it is OVER for you,” Trump declared. “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
He also addressed the people of Gaza, stating, “A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump previously issued a similar warning before taking office in January, which was followed by a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal in mid-January. However, he did not specify what actions he would take if Hamas fails to comply this time.
The U.S. has long avoided direct contact with Hamas, which launched a deadly cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking the ongoing Gaza war. The U.S. State Department has designated Hamas a terrorist organization since 1997.
One of the sources said negotiations include efforts to secure the release of Edan Alexander, a New Jersey native believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas. He appeared in a video released by the group in November 2024. Four other U.S. hostages have been declared dead by Israeli authorities.
Until now, Washington’s role in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations has been limited to working with Israel, Qatar, and Egypt. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Boehler “does have the authority” to hold direct talks with Hamas but did not clarify whether Israel was consulted before or after the meetings.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a brief statement: “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.” The statement did not elaborate, but Israel has consistently refused to negotiate directly with the group.
Hamas political adviser Taher Al-Nono told Reuters, “I have no information about meetings with American officials, but any meeting with the American administration is beneficial for the stability of the region.”
Sources indicated that while the primary focus of the U.S.-Hamas talks is the release of American hostages, discussions have also touched on a potential broader deal for the release of all remaining hostages and steps toward a long-term truce.
Fighting in Gaza has been halted since January 19, with Hamas exchanging 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli authorities estimate that fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are still alive.
When asked whether the discussions included Trump’s controversial proposal to have the U.S. take control of Gaza—transforming it into a resort destination after resettling its inhabitants elsewhere—Leavitt declined to provide details. “These are ongoing talks and discussions. I’m not going to detail them,” she said. “There are American lives at stake.”
Trump’s approach to diplomacy in the Middle East remains unconventional and polarizing. Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the region, said the direct engagement with Hamas presents both risks and opportunities.
“On one hand, engaging Hamas directly could make it easier to secure the release of American hostages and work toward a broader agreement,” said Panikoff, now with the Atlantic Council. “On the other, there’s a reason the U.S. doesn’t usually negotiate with terrorist groups—knowing Washington will do so could encourage them to repeat the behavior in the future.”
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to return to the region in the coming days to discuss extending the Gaza ceasefire or advancing to its next phase, a State Department spokesperson confirmed Monday.
REUTERS
