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US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas against releasing all remaining hostages in Gaza.
He said this was the final warning, saying he was "sending Israel everything it needs to complete its mission." Earlier, the president hosted eight former hostages at the White House.
The harsh language comes as the White House said yesterday that US officials have engaged in "ongoing talks and discussions" with Hamas officials, retreating from a long-standing United States policy of not engaging directly in talks with the militant group.
The confirmation of talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, comes as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in limbo. It is the first known direct engagement between the United States and the militant group since the State Department designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt declined to provide details on the substance of the talks, but said President Donald Trump has authorized his envoys to "talk to anyone."
Egypt and Qatar have served as mediators with Hamas on behalf of the United States and Israel since the militant group launched the attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war.
The White House spokeswoman said President Trump believes that dialogue in good faith serves the best interests of the American people. Ms. Leavitt added that Israel has consulted with Hamas officials about direct engagement and noted that “American lives are at stake.”
Israeli officials say Hamas is holding about 24 live hostages in Gaza, including American Edan Alexander, and at least 35 dead bodies.
Adam Boehler, President Trump's nominee for special envoy for hostage issues, led the direct talks with Hamas. During President Trump's first term, Mr. Boehler was among the lead negotiators of the Abraham Accords.
The talks, which took place last month, focused largely on the release of American hostages and ending the war in Gaza without Hamas in power, according to a Hamas official who was not authorized to comment publicly. He added that no progress had been made, but “the step in itself is promising” and more talks are expected. Egypt and Qatar helped organize the talks.
The direct engagement comes as the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire remains uncertain. President Trump has signaled that he has no intention of pressuring Israel not to resume fighting unless Hamas agrees to the terms of a new ceasefire proposal that the Israelis say was drafted by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The new plan would require Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and a promise to negotiate a long-term truce. Israel did not mention the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase./ VOA
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