Trump confirms talks: In addition to reiterating his earlier threat that there would be “hell to pay” in Gaza if the additional hostages were not released right away, President Donald Trump acknowledged on Thursday that his government was in talks with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group, to free them.
Trump confirms talks, When asked what he meant by a reporter, Trump responded from the Oval Office, “You’re going to find out.”
Trump made a big deal out of meeting with Israeli hostages who were released on Wednesday.
Yesterday, he stated, “I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with quite a few of the people that we got out, and I can’t believe how badly they were treated.”
The president’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told reporters at the White House earlier Thursday that the administration might take “some action” that could be carried out “jointly with the Israelis.”
Israeli and American demands
In reference to Israeli and American demands that Hamas be denied any military or political role in postwar Gaza, Witkoff stated, “Hamas has an opportunity to act reasonably, to do what’s right, and then to walk out.”
Trump confirms talks, When asked if military action was one of the possibilities under consideration, neither Trump nor the White House gave a response. Officials have previously stated that the United States will not deploy soldiers to Gaza.
Trump has broken with Washington’s long-standing policy of not negotiating with terrorists by deciding to start direct negotiations with Hamas to free prisoners, under the leadership of special envoy for hostages Adam Boehler.
Trump confirms talks, Since we are discussing Israeli hostages, we are assisting Israel in those negotiations. Furthermore, we’re not taking any action against Hamas. Trump declared, “We’re not giving cash.”
Israel “has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,” according to a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ceasefire agreement in Gaza
Trump confirms talks, According to Hamas, ceasefire talks were the most effective way to liberate the hostages. It further stated that Israel was being urged to withdraw from the multiphase ceasefire agreement in Gaza that was struck on January 19, the day before Trump took office, by Trump’s threats.
In a statement published on a Hamas-affiliated Telegram channel, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stated, “The language of threats does not intimidate us; it only complicates matters further.”
Trump confirms talks, “Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. If you don’t follow my instructions, not a single Hamas member will be safe. I am handing Israel everything it needs to complete the task.
Trump confirms talks, This Thursday, for the second time in a month, his administration shipped $4 billion worth of weapons to Israel without first obtaining legislative approval.
Separate from continuing negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which are being mediated by the United States and Qatar, the U.S.-Hamas talks seem to be a fresh diplomatic avenue to secure phase two of the Gaza ceasefire.
About 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage in the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which marked the start of the war in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza has killed about 48,400 Palestinians, with women and children accounting for roughly half of the deaths.