The United States has broken a long-standing diplomatic policy by engaging in secret negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of US hostages in Gaza, sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to the Palestinian militant group, vowing “hell to pay” if it failed to comply.
US hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has been authorised to communicate directly with Hamas, the White House confirmed when asked about the discussions. This marks a significant shift from the decades-old US policy of refusing to negotiate with groups it designates as terrorist organisations.
According to two sources briefed on the talks, Boehler and Hamas officials met in Doha in recent weeks, though it remains unclear who represented Hamas.
At the White House, Trump met with a group of hostages recently released under a Gaza ceasefire deal. In a social media post, he demanded that Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later,” including the remains of deceased captives.
“I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump wrote. “Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump’s warning echoed his previous “hell to pay” threat before his January 20 return to the White House, which was followed by a ceasefire and hostage deal in mid-January. He had taken credit for that agreement before then-President Joe Biden left office. However, as before, Trump did not specify what actions he might take if Hamas refused to comply.
The Palestinian Mujahideen military group in Gaza condemned Trump’s statement, accusing his administration of being complicit in “genocide against our people.” Israel has denied such accusations.
“Trump’s threats today clearly reveal the ugly face of the United States of America and show its lack of seriousness and its renunciation of the agreement it mediated,” the group said. Hamas has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks.
The US has historically refrained from direct engagement with Hamas, which launched a cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a war that has since claimed more than 48,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health officials. The US State Department has classified Hamas as a terrorist organisation since 1997.
One source said the ongoing diplomatic effort includes securing the release of Edan Alexander, a hostage from Tenafly, New Jersey, who is believed to be the last living American captive held by Hamas. He appeared in a video published by Hamas in November 2024.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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