US Confirms Talks with Hamas on Hostage Release.

The United States has confirmed engaging in discussions with Hamas regarding the hostages held in Gaza. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed the information during a recent press conference, stating that Israel was consulted prior to the commencement of these talks.

This development marks a significant departure from established US policy, which has traditionally avoided direct engagement with organizations designated as terrorist groups. Despite this precedent, the Biden administration appears to be pursuing direct communication with Hamas to facilitate the release of the remaining hostages and potentially de-escalate the ongoing conflict.

While Hamas has recently released some hostages, the return of the bodies of a mother and her two children underscores the complexity and urgency of the situation.

The shift in US strategy has been met with cautious optimism from some quarters. Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, noted that the Trump administration had previously engaged in similar, albeit secret, talks with Hamas, adding that direct engagement could potentially pressure Hamas to release more hostages.