In a pivotal move away from established policies, U.S. and Hamas representatives engaged in talks over hostages in Gaza, shedding light on new diplomatic dynamics.
U.S.-Hamas Talks Signal Shift in Hostage Negotiations
U.S.-Hamas Talks Signal Shift in Hostage Negotiations
Significant direct negotiations between U.S. and Hamas officials raise questions about changing diplomatic strategies.
March 5, 2025, 2:03 p.m. ET - In a surprising turn of events, U.S. and Hamas officials have initiated direct discussions in Qatar concerning hostages held in the Gaza Strip, breaking a longstanding American policy against engaging with the militant group, as reported by an Israeli official and a diplomat familiar with the negotiations. Adam Boehler, President Trump's nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, participated in these critical discussions, which have yet to clarify the full scope of their content.
The backdrop of these talks includes the ongoing effort to extend a current truce between Israel and Hamas and to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Currently, there are around 24 living hostages, including an American citizen named Edan Alexander, along with at least 35 others whose bodies are believed to be in the region, according to Israeli sources.
These covert negotiations, confirmed initially by Axios, indicate a significant shift in the previously unwavering stance of U.S. officials who have historically avoided direct contact with Hamas, a designation the U.S. has held for decades as a terrorist organization. Instead, American representatives, similar to their Israeli counterparts, have typically relied on intermediaries to communicate with Hamas rather than engaging with its leadership directly.
Past efforts aimed at isolating and weakening Hamas after its takeover of Gaza in 2007 have met criticism over their effectiveness, especially amid sustained deadlock and little evolution in Hamas’s position. The current conversations arise against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, ignited by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 250 captives taken during the assault.
While more than 100 hostages were released during a week-long ceasefire in late 2023, subsequent hostage releases have been limited, with only 30 additional hostages and the remains of eight others freed since the latest ceasefire began in mid-January. The current stalemate concerns negotiations for a comprehensive truce to conclude hostilities and secure the remaining hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Adam Boehler, a health care executive and former official in Trump's first administration, has been nominated to assume the role of special envoy for hostage affairs but is pending Senate confirmation. As of now, the State Department has provided no immediate remarks regarding the talks, and while the Israeli prime minister’s office has chosen not to comment, Hamas has yet to respond to requests for information.
Reporters Ed Wong and David E. Sanger contributed additional context from Washington. Adam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman have reported extensively on Israeli and Palestinian affairs from Jerusalem.
The backdrop of these talks includes the ongoing effort to extend a current truce between Israel and Hamas and to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Currently, there are around 24 living hostages, including an American citizen named Edan Alexander, along with at least 35 others whose bodies are believed to be in the region, according to Israeli sources.
These covert negotiations, confirmed initially by Axios, indicate a significant shift in the previously unwavering stance of U.S. officials who have historically avoided direct contact with Hamas, a designation the U.S. has held for decades as a terrorist organization. Instead, American representatives, similar to their Israeli counterparts, have typically relied on intermediaries to communicate with Hamas rather than engaging with its leadership directly.
Past efforts aimed at isolating and weakening Hamas after its takeover of Gaza in 2007 have met criticism over their effectiveness, especially amid sustained deadlock and little evolution in Hamas’s position. The current conversations arise against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, ignited by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 250 captives taken during the assault.
While more than 100 hostages were released during a week-long ceasefire in late 2023, subsequent hostage releases have been limited, with only 30 additional hostages and the remains of eight others freed since the latest ceasefire began in mid-January. The current stalemate concerns negotiations for a comprehensive truce to conclude hostilities and secure the remaining hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Adam Boehler, a health care executive and former official in Trump's first administration, has been nominated to assume the role of special envoy for hostage affairs but is pending Senate confirmation. As of now, the State Department has provided no immediate remarks regarding the talks, and while the Israeli prime minister’s office has chosen not to comment, Hamas has yet to respond to requests for information.
Reporters Ed Wong and David E. Sanger contributed additional context from Washington. Adam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman have reported extensively on Israeli and Palestinian affairs from Jerusalem.
