Rabat – The Trump administration has been holding direct talks with Hamas regarding the release of US hostages in Gaza and a possible broader deal to end the devastating war on Gaza, Axios reported today. 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the ongoing talks at a news briefing later today. “The special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” she said.

Leavitt added that Israel was consulted on the matter and that Trump believes in “dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people.”

“These are ongoing talks and discussions, I’m not going to detail them here, there are American lives at stake,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s cabinet said in a statement that the US had consulted them on the direct talks with Hamas. “In consultation with the United States, Israel expressed its opinion on direct talks with Hamas,” it stressed.

Axios quoted a source as saying that the US consulted with Israel about the possibility of engaging with Hamas, but that Israel learned about aspects of the talks through other channels.

These talks are “unprecedented” as the US has never directly engaged with Hamas, a group it has designated a terrorist organization since 1997, Axios noted. US presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, led these meetings in Doha in recent weeks. 

The talks come as 59 hostages remain in Gaza, after around 30 returned to Israel during the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Five Americans are still held, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander, who is believed to be alive. 

The move marks a significant shift in US policy and a notable difference from Joe Biden’s approach to the Israeli war on Gaza.