5 hours ago
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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trump’s administration broke longstanding diplomatic taboo as it held secret talks with Hamas. According to Reuters sources on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler met with Hamas officials in Doha a few weeks ago to discuss the release of American hostages in Gaza.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Adam Boehler “does have the authority” to speak directly with Hamas, which broke the decades-old policy against negotiating with groups the country brands as errorist organizations.
According to Leavitt, Israel had been consulted without specifying the timing before or after the negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement about the meeting. "Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas."
It did not elaborate on its position, but Israel, along with many other countries, considers Hamas a terrorist organization. Israel rejects direct negotiations with the group.
Taher Al-Nono, a political advisor to Hamas, said, "I have no information about meetings with American officials, but any meeting with the American administration is beneficial for the stability of the region."
At the White House, Trump met with a group of hostages who had just been released under the Gaza ceasefire deal. Trump again threatened Hamas through social media posts.
He demanded Hamas release all hostages “now, not later,” including the remains of dead hostages. "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," he said.
"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 said.
Trump’s threat echoed his warning that there was “hell to pay” before he assumed office. But he once again did not specify what action he would take if Hamas failed to comply.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Mujahideen military group condemned Trump's warning. Hamas stated that Trump's threat was an expressed intention for the U.S. to participate in the Palestinian genocide in Gaza.
"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.
The U.S. has long avoided direct involvement with the Palestinian resistance group. The U.S. Department of State designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.
One source said the effort included an attempt to release Edan Alexander from Tenafly, New Jersey, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas. He appeared in a video released by Hamas in November 2024. Four other American hostages have been declared dead by Israeli authorities.
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