White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, is leading the negotiations. "He has the authority to engage with any party," Leavitt stated, emphasizing that "American lives are at stake."
This development coincided with the White House’s announcement that President Donald Trump had met with a group of recently freed hostages who were released under a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Following the meeting, Trump issued a statement demanding that Hamas "release all hostages now, not later."
In response to these talks, Gordon Gray, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, clarified that this does not signal a shift in US policy.
Sources revealed that US efforts also include the release of Aidan Alexander, a New Jersey native believed to be the last American hostage still alive in Hamas captivity. Alexander appeared in a video posted by Hamas in November 2024.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office acknowledged the talks, stating that "Israel has conveyed its position on direct talks with Hamas to the United States." However, the statement did not provide further details. Israel, along with many other nations, considers Hamas a terrorist organization and opposes direct negotiations.
As the first phase concluded over the weekend, Israel expressed interest in extending it until mid-April, based on a US proposal. Meanwhile, Hamas insists that negotiations for the second phase, which is expected to bring an end to the war, must proceed.
Under the terms of the agreement, the second phase would see the release of all surviving hostages in exchange for the release of additional Palestinian detainees by Israel. The third phase is expected to focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
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