US Holds Secret Talks with Hamas on Prisoners, Ceasefire: Report

Washington, MINA – The United States has reportedly held “direct” and “secret” talks with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas for the first time, US-based news website Axios reported on Wednesday.

The talks are aimed at releasing American prisoners still being held in Gaza and exploring “the possibility of a broader deal to end the war,” according to two sources cited by Axios, Palestine Chronicle reported.

The “unprecedented” talks were held by US presidential envoy Adam Boehler in Doha, Axios reported. The sources, who spoke to Axios on condition of anonymity, said that “while the Trump administration consulted with Israel about the possibility of engaging with Hamas, Israel learned about aspects of the talks through other channels.”

“The White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not comment before publication,” Axios noted.

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According to Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, “Israel is unhappy with the secret channel the Trump administration has opened with” Hamas.

The consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, told Fox Business Network that Israel “would love to see the abductees returned and reunited with their families.”

However, Israel Hayom reported that the move sparked “anger” in Israel, with “astonishment and disappointment” being expressed.

“This is a very problematic move, to say the least,” an Israeli source familiar with the matter told the newspaper.

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Axios reported that Hamas is still holding 59 prisoners in Gaza, and the Israeli military confirmed that 35 of them have been killed. Israeli intelligence believes 22 prisoners are still alive, while the status of two others remains unknown.

Among the remaining prisoners are five Americans, including 21-year-old Aidan Alexander, who is believed to be alive.

A 42-day ceasefire, part of the first phase of the Gaza deal, ended Saturday after the two sides failed to reach an agreement to extend it. []

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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