The Trump administration has been engaged in secret negotiations with Hamas over the potential release of U.S. hostages in Gaza, the White House confirmed on Wednesday.
U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler has been holding direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks in Doha, a source had previously said, confirming a report by Axios.
U.S. special envoy for hostages Adam Boehler has the authority to negotiate directly with Hamas, the White House said after sources said Boehler has been in discussions with Hamas about freeing Gaza hostages.
"When it comes to the negotiations that you're referring to, first of all, the special envoy who's engaged in those negotiations does have the authority," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
She said Israel was consulted and she said Boehler's work was a "good faith effort to do what's right for the American people."
Until recently, the United States had avoided direct discussions with the Palestinian resistance group.
The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boehler's office declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The source said the talks have focused on gaining the release of American hostages still held in Gaza, but also have included discussions about a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and how to reach a long-term truce.
U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the region in the coming days to work out a way to either extend the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire deal or advance to the second phase, a State Department spokesperson said Monday.
