President Trump Calls United States-Hamas Talks Helping Israel

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump defended direct negotiations between his government and the unprecedented Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"We are helping Israel in the discussion because we are talking about Israeli hostages," said President Trump as reported by The Times of Israel March 7.

The US reportedly had direct talks with Hamas after the hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler reportedly met with representatives of the group in Doha, Qatar in recent weeks, according to sources briefed on the negotiations.

However, Israel opposes US direct negotiations with Hamas, an official familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel on Thursday morning.

Speaking to reporters while signing an executive order in the Oval Room, White House, President Trump said, "We didn't do anything about Hamas. We didn't give any cash."

"You have to negotiate. There is a difference between negotiating and paying. We want to free these people," said President Trump.

Uncle Sam's country is known to have a policy that has been in effect for decades not to negotiate with groups Washington branded terrorist organizations. The US State Department designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.

The White House said the US hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler had the authority to speak directly to Hamas. On the other hand, the US has long avoided direct contact with the Palestinian militant group.

Reflecting on his meeting with eight hostages released on Wednesday, President Trump said he did not believe in their stories about how bad they were being treated during the funeral.

"They want to know if we can continue" the release of additional hostages, said President Trump.

"We have 59 people left, 24 of whom are still alive. The rest are dead. The 24 people who are still alive, they say they are in very bad condition," he continued.

The sources said talks focused on the release of American hostages still detained in Gaza, but one of the sources said the talks also included discussions on a broader deal to free all remaining hostages and how to reach a long-term ceasefire.

One source said the effort included efforts to free Edan Alexander from Tenafly, New Jersey, who is believed to be Hamas' last living American hostage. He appeared in a video published by Hamas in November 2024.

"I issued a statement that does not need to be explained again," said President Trump, referring to the ultimatum he issued against Hamas to immediately release the remaining hostages or face destruction.

"A person must act harsher than they do. It's a shame," he said.

"We want to free these people. If you look at those people yesterday, the way they talk about their detention, it's unbelievable. It's terrible," said President Trump.

When asked about Arab refusal to his plans to relocate all Gazans, President Trump avoided responding directly.

"Gaza could be good, but it must be managed properly. Currently, Gaza is completely chaotic, and it's been like that for years and decades," he concluded.