According to Axios, the Trump administration has been speaking directly with the terrorist group Hamas, which committed the brutal October 7 massacre of over 1200 people in Israel.
U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, was reportedly involved in the talks, which took place in Doha. “The talks have focused in part on the release of U.S. hostages, which is within Boehler’s remit as hostage envoy. But they have also included discussions of a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and reach a long-term truce, the sources say,” Axios reported.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the “negotiations” on Wednesday, saying Boehler had been authorized to talk to the terrorist group and “Israel was consulted on this matter.”
On Sunday, the 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages; according to Israel Defense Forces, 35 are dead. Five of the hostages are American, including Eden Alexander, who is believed to still be alive.
There is no question President Donald Trump wants Hamas out of Gaza; he has spoken of the United States taking over Gaza and resettling its population while making sure Hamas does not stay in power. Former Ambassador to Israel David Friedman stated last month, “Trump’s proposed USA takeover of the Gaza Strip may sound out of the box, but it is brilliant, historic and the only idea I have heard in 50 years that has a chance of bringing security, peace and prosperity to this troubled region.”
Arab nations have offered an alternate plan that would permit Gaza to be governed temporarily by a committee of independent experts that ignored Hamas and the atrocities the terrorist organization has committed, which the United States and Israel rejected.
On Tuesday, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes reiterated Trump’s insistence that Hamas be deposed, saying, “President Trump has been clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza. While the president stands by his bold vision for a post-war Gaza, he welcomes input from our Arab partners in the region. It’s clear his proposals have driven the region to come to the table rather than allow this issue to devolve into further crisis.”
In mid-February, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would consider other proposals but added, “All these countries say how much they care about the Palestinians, but none of them want to take any Palestinians. None of them have a history of doing anything for Gaza.”
President Trump has banned funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which employed hundreds of Hamas and other terrorist members.
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