Trump Administration Negotiating Directly with Hamas to Free Hostages

President Donald Trump has decided to bypass Egypt and Qatar as intermediaries, negotiating directly with Hamas for the release of the remaining hostages, and breaking the taboos against negotiations with terrorists to achieve the outcome.

White House press chief Caroline Leavitt on Wednesday responded to a question from Peter Doucy of Fox News in the briefing room, confirming that Stephen Witkoff, the president's envoy for the Middle East negotiations, was dealing with Hamas in person for the first time. She added that Israel has been “consulted about this issue.”

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has not publicly expressed its views with the White House on speaking to Hamas, but confirmed its knowledge of the talks.

“Israel has expressed its position in the United States regarding its in-person meeting with Hamas,” the brief statement said.

There are 63 hostages remaining in Gaza. 24 are thought to be alive. It is believed that some American citizens are among the bodies of the dead. Hamas has held hostages for a terrible violation of international law that prohibits the capture of civilian hostages, requiring that the Red Cross be allowed to visit prisoners.

Trump briefly mentioned the hostages in his speech to Congress Tuesday evening. Qatar and Egypt are unable to make the release of all hostages come true, unlike Trump's plan to rule Gaza.