Recent reports indicate that senior U.S. officials have engaged in confidential discussions with Hamas, focusing on the potential release of American captives held in Gaza and exploring avenues for ending the ongoing war. These discussions, which took place behind closed doors, were disclosed by sources speaking to Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
According to the report, the negotiations were spearheaded by Adam Boehler, the U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs. These meetings reportedly occurred in Doha in recent weeks, marking a significant development in diplomatic efforts regarding the conflict.
Although previous U.S. administrations had consulted Israel about the possibility of opening communication with Hamas, Israel was not directly informed of these recent discussions and instead became aware of them through separate channels, Ravid stated. Notably, Ravid has a background in Israeli military intelligence, having served in Unit 8200.
This marks the first recorded instance of direct engagement between Washington and Hamas, an organization officially labeled a “foreign terrorist organization” by the U.S. government. The revelation of these talks has surfaced at a time of escalating tensions in the region and comes shortly after the cancellation of a scheduled trip by Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s special envoy for West Asia, to Qatar.
Witkoff’s trip was reportedly canceled due to what sources described as a lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations, which have been undermined by Israeli actions. While the White House denied any connection between the cancellation and the stalled talks, Israeli officials cited by Maariv suggested that the U.S. envoy would only proceed with the visit if a deal was close to being finalized. “At this stage, that is not the case—there has been no breakthrough, and Hamas is unwilling to alter its stance,” an Israeli official reportedly said.
Hamas Rebukes Israel
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan issued a statement condemning Israel’s approach to the ceasefire process. Speaking in a video address, Hamdan accused the Israeli government of deliberately undermining the agreement during its initial phase to ensure its collapse.
He further argued that Israel’s insistence on extending the first stage of the ceasefire was an attempt to sidestep its obligations and avoid moving into the second phase of the agreement. “The occupation seeks to reset negotiations and derail the deal by introducing alternative proposals,” Hamdan asserted.
Amid these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a controversial step on Sunday by ordering a complete halt to the entry of goods and humanitarian supplies into Gaza. The move was widely seen as a pressure tactic aimed at forcing Hamas into extending the first stage of the ceasefire.
The blockade has already raised alarms among humanitarian organizations, which warn that food shortages in Gaza are rapidly worsening. Relief agencies caution that the continued restriction of aid will exacerbate famine-like conditions in the region, placing countless civilians at risk.
