U.S President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the entrance of the White Home in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4. Reuters-Yonhap
America broke a longstanding diplomatic taboo by holding secret talks with Hamas on securing the discharge of U.S. hostages held in Gaza, sources informed Reuters on Wednesday, whereas President Donald Trump warned of „hell to pay“ ought to the Palestinian militant group not comply.
U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to speak straight with Hamas, the White Home stated when requested in regards to the discussions, which broke with a decades-old coverage in opposition to negotiating with teams that the U.S. manufacturers as terrorist organizations.
Boehler and Hamas officers met in Doha in current weeks, two sources briefed on the negotiations stated. It was not clear who represented Hamas.
On the White Home, Trump met a bunch of hostages who had been launched just lately underneath a Gaza ceasefire deal, and he issued a stark new risk in opposition to Hamas in a social media publish.
He demanded that Hamas „launch the entire hostages now, not later,“ together with the stays of lifeless hostages,“or it’s OVER for you.“
„I’m sending Israel every thing it wants to complete the job, not a single Hamas member shall be protected if you happen to don’t do as I say,“ he stated. „Additionally, to the Folks of Gaza: A stupendous Future awaits, however not if you happen to maintain Hostages. When you do, you’re DEAD! Make a SMART choice. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!“
Trump’s warning echoed his „hell to pay“ risk earlier than his Jan. 20 return to the White Home, which was adopted by the ceasefire and hostages deal in mid-January that he claimed credit score for earlier than then-President Joe Biden left workplace.
As soon as once more, Trump didn’t specify precisely what motion he may take if Hamas did not comply.
The Palestinian Mujahideen navy group in Gaza condemned Trump’s warning, saying it demonstrated his administration’s intention „to proceed as a associate within the crimes of genocide in opposition to our individuals.” Israel has denied accusations of genocide.
“Trump’s threats right this moment clearly reveal the ugly face of america of America and present its lack of seriousness and its renunciation of the settlement it mediated,” the group stated.
Hamas has but to touch upon Trump’s threats.
The U.S. had lengthy prevented direct engagement with the Islamist group, which carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering a devastating Gaza battle that has killed greater than 48,000 Palestinians, in line with Gaza well being officers. The U.S. State Division designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997.
One of many sources stated the trouble contains an try to achieve the discharge of Edan Alexander from Tenafly, New Jersey, believed to be the final dwelling American hostage held by Hamas. He appeared in a video printed by Hamas in November 2024.
4 different U.S. hostages have been declared lifeless by Israeli authorities.
So far, the U.S. position in serving to to safe a Gaza ceasefire and hostage launch settlement has been coping with Israel and Qatari and Egyptian mediators, however with none recognized direct communications between Washington and Hamas.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that Boehler „does have the authority“ to carry direct talks with Hamas.
She stated Israel was consulted however didn’t point out whether or not this was earlier than or after the talks. She described the contacts as a part of Trump’s „good religion effort to do what’s proper for the American individuals.“
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace issued an announcement saying: “Israel has expressed to america its place relating to direct talks with Hamas.” It didn’t elaborate however Israel, which together with many different nations considers Hamas a terrorist group, refuses to barter straight with the group.
Taher Al-Nono, Hamas political adviser, informed Reuters: „I’ve no details about conferences with American officers, however any assembly with the American administration is helpful for the steadiness of the area.“
Mourners wave Israeli flags because the convoy carrying the coffin of slain Israeli hostage Ohad Yahalomi in Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, March 5. AP-Yonhap
American lives at stake
The sources stated the discussions have centered on gaining the discharge of American hostages nonetheless held in Gaza, however one stated additionally they have included talks a couple of broader deal to launch all remaining hostages and the best way to attain a long-term truce.
Combating in Gaza has been halted since Jan. 19 and Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and 5 Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israeli authorities consider fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are nonetheless alive.
Leavitt was requested whether or not the talks with Hamas additionally included Trump’s controversial proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza. He urged final month that war-ravaged Gaza be reworked right into a Riviera-style resort after its inhabitants are resettled elsewhere, an thought rejected within the Arab world and condemned by human rights teams.
„These are ongoing talks and discussions. I am not going to element them,“ she stated. „There are American lives at stake.“
Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy nationwide intelligence officer on the Center East, stated Trump’s unconventional diplomatic strategy carries each dangers and alternatives.
„On one hand, partaking Hamas straight may make it simpler to get U.S. hostages out and assist attain a long-term settlement,“ stated Panikoff, now on the Atlantic Council thinktank. „On the opposite, there’s a motive the U.S. doesn’t normally negotiate with terrorist teams, realizing Washington will achieve this incentivizes them to repeat the habits sooner or later.“
Trump’s Center East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the area in coming days to work out a method both to increase the primary section of the Gaza ceasefire deal or advance to the second section, a State Division spokesperson stated on Monday. (Reuters)
