A U.S. delegation has entered into talks with Hamas, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on March 5.
As she confirmed the news at a White House press briefing, Leavitt faced questions about how these talks with Hamas may conflict with U.S. policies against negotiating with terrorist groups.
“The special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” Leavitt said.
She noted that the Trump administration notified the Israeli government of the talks ahead of time.
During the White House press briefing, Leavitt did not specify exactly when and where talks between the U.S. envoy and Hamas representatives have occurred or where talks may go from here.
Responding to a follow-up request for comment from The Epoch Times in an emailed press statement, a White House spokesperson identified the U.S. representative in talks with Hamas as Adam Boehler, special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
The White House spokesperson did not provide a response to other questions from The Epoch Times about these recent talks.
Israel and Hamas are presently in a state of cease-fire following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks across southern Israel and more than a year of fighting that has ensued in the Gaza Strip.
The current cease-fire was intended to serve as the first phase of what was meant to be a more long-term resolution to hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
In the first cease-fire phase, Hamas released dozens of hostages they had taken in the October 2023 attacks in return for hundreds of Palestinians who have been detained by Israel. This initial phase was meant to allow time for negotiations for more hostages still being held in Gaza, with the ultimate goal of winning their release and bringing the fighting to a permanent close.
“These are ongoing talks and discussions,” Leavitt said. “I’m not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake.”
