Trump Administration Holds Secret Talks With Hamas Regarding US Hostage Release

Gaza/DOK UN Condition

JAKARTA - The Donald Trump administration is reportedly conducting secret talks with Hamas regarding the possible release of US hostages detained in Gaza.

The report was written by Axios on Wednesday, March 5, citing two unnamed sources who were aware of the conversation firsthand.

The US special envoy for the hostage-taking of Adam Boehler has held direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks in Doha, the report said.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with the head of security and ministers after the Israeli delegation returned from Cairo without an agreement to extend the ceasefire in Gaza.

A Hamas official confirmed Israel was seeking to extend the ceasefire for 42 days agreed as the first phase in a ceasefire agreement during Ramadan's fasting month, which began this weekend.

However, he said Hamas wanted to continue the second phase of negotiations, paving the way for the permanent cessation of war.

"We are committed to the agreement," said the official, speaking without being named.

Egyptian and Qatar mediators are asking for time in the next few days to complete a ceasefire deadlock, which ends on Saturday.

The deal reached last month halted 15 months of fighting, allowing the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais with about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and intended to lead to further negotiations to build a ceasefire.

Israeli officials previously said Israel was ready to continue fighting in Gaza if all the remaining hostages were not returned.

However, Israel and Hamas still have different opinions on key issues and each accused each other of violating the ceasefire, raising doubts over the second phase of the agreement meant to include the release of hostages and additional detainees as well as steps towards a permanent end to the war.

There are no signs of agreement, either between Israel and Palestine, or between Western and Arab governments, over Gaza's future.

This uncertainty complicates efforts to negotiate long-term resolutions.

Hamas on Friday called on the international community to pressure Israel to immediately enter the second phase without delay. It is not clear what will happen if the first phase ends on Saturday without an agreement.