White House confirms direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages

WASHINGTON -- The White House confirmed Wednesday that the Trump administration is having direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages.

The talks, first reported by Axios, were held in Doha, Qatar, in recent weeks and were led on the U.S. side by presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler.

Asked about the talks, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters during Wednesday's daily press briefing that "the special envoy who's engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone," adding that "Israel was consulted on this matter."

Leavitt refused to disclose any details on what she said are "ongoing talks and discussions" when asked if the discussions also involved President Donald Trump's plan to take over the Gaza Strip, which is now still governed by Hamas.

"I'm not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake," the press secretary said.

According to a U.S. official cited in the Axios report, the discussions also included a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and reach a long-term truce.

Altogether 59 hostages are still in Hamas captivity, Axios reported, citing the Israel Defense Forces, which confirmed 35 of them are dead.

Among those hostages, five are Americans, including just one who is believed to be alive.