WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS DIRECT TALKS WITH HAMAS – Trump warns Hamas as US holds talks for Gaza hostages
The United States broke a longstanding diplomatic taboo by holding secret talks with Hamas on securing the release of U.S. hostages held in Gaza, sources said, while President Donald Trump warned of “hell to pay” should the Palestinian militant group not comply.
U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with Hamas, the White House said when asked about the discussions, which broke with a decades-old policy against negotiating with groups that the U.S. brands as terrorist organizations.
Boehler and Hamas officials met in Doha in recent weeks, two sources briefed on the negotiations said. It was not clear who represented Hamas.
At the White House, Trump met a group of hostages who had been released recently under a Gaza ceasefire deal, and he issued a stark new threat against Hamas in a social media post.
He demanded that Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later,” including the remains of dead hostages, “or it is OVER for you.”
Once again, Trump did not specify exactly what action he might take if Hamas failed to comply and Hamas has yet to comment on Trump’s threats.
