The White House has confirmed that under the Trump administration, direct talks with Hamas were held, justifying that these discussions are in line with American interests. Subsequently, President Trump warned Palestinians in Gaza of severe retribution if all hostages were not released.
The key points of this development include:
What are the details of the US-Hamas direct talks?
These discussions, which were arranged by Qatari facilitators, have been taking place for several weeks and were more noticeable in early March 2025. This marks the first time in decades the United States has directly negotiated with Hamas, traditionally classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S.
Who led the negotiations?
Adam Boehler, the US presidential envoy for hostage issues, headed the direct discussions with Hamas. Boehler had previous experience as a negotiator on the Abraham Accords during Trump’s inaugural term, promoting Israel’s diplomatic relations with the Arab world.
What did Trump say?
After public reports about the negotiations, Trump posted on social media demanding Hamas to release all hostages immediately, warning Hamas that failure to do so would have deadly consequences. He also declared that he would provide Israel with the necessary means “to finish the job” and threatened the personal safety of Hamas members.
How has Hamas responded?
Hamas has not made an official statement regarding the talks. An official from Hamas stated to the Associated Press that the talks were focused on the release of Israeli hostages and were considered “promising.” They also reacted to Trump’s threats, suggesting these statements could complicate efforts toward a ceasefire and urging the US to pressure Israel to begin the second phase of the negotiations.
How many captives are with Hamas?
Israel claims that there are 59 captives remaining in Hamas’ custody, 24 of which are believed to be alive, along with the bodies of at least another 35 people.
What’s the status of the ceasefire and what’s next?
Despite the direct talks, the ceasefire in Gaza remains uncertain, and Hamas has accused the US of supporting Israel’s reluctance to progress with the second phase. Egypt has also argued that Israel is not committed to fulfilling its part of the agreement.
Australia’s response to the situation is not mentioned, and there have been no statements made by the Australian government thus far.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/6/us-hamas-direct-talks-whats-happening-and-what-comes-next?traffic_source=rss
