White House confirms US is holding direct talks with Hamas

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the reports that the Donald Trump administration has been holding direct and secret talks with Hamas. Referring to Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostage affairs, Leavitt said, "The special envoy conducting these negotiations has the authority to speak with anyone."

Stating that Israel has also been informed about the talks, Leavitt added, "Engaging in dialogue and speaking with people around the world to do what is in the best interest of the American people is something the President believes in."

When asked whether the talks with Hamas were focused on the release of hostages or Trump's plan for Gaza, Leavitt replied, "These are ongoing conversations and discussions, I will not detail them here; the lives of Americans are at stake."

Reports in the US press, citing unnamed sources, had stated that Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostage affairs, had been conducting direct and secret talks with Hamas in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in recent weeks.