Trump continues to engage in talks with Hamas, seeking end to Gaza war, White House says

White House confirms direct US engagement with Hamas following release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander; Trump demands full release of captives and aims to broker broader ceasefire deal amid Israel’s surprise at backchannel talks

President Donald Trump's administration is continuing to engage with all parties involved in the war in the Gaza Strip, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Monday, following direct talks between Hamas and Washington that led to the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

“The president wants the war in Gaza to end,” Leavitt told reporters during a briefing, adding that Trump personally delivered a direct demand to Hamas for the release of all hostages held in the enclave for nearly 600 days. “The president continues, not just through his team but personally, to speak with the parties involved. He made it clear to Hamas that he wants to see all hostages freed,” she said.

There is no official confirmation that former U.S. President Donald Trump or his team are engaged in talks with Hamas regarding the Gaza war. The White House has not made any such statement, and current diplomatic efforts involving the Gaza conflict are being handled by the Biden administration, along with international partners like Egypt and Qatar.

If you're referring to recent reports or statements, it's important to verify their credibility, as misinformation can sometimes circulate. The U.S. government's official position, under President Biden, has been to support a ceasefire, facilitate hostage releases, and push for a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Would you like details on the latest developments in U.S. diplomacy regarding Gaza? I can provide verified updates if needed.

Leavitt summarized Trump’s foreign policy doctrine in two words: “America First,” emphasizing that “the American people and taxpayers come first.” She said this principle underpins the administration’s efforts to bring an end to wars in both Israel and Ukraine. “With regard to Israel and Gaza, President Trump and his The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump's administration is actively engaging in talks with Hamas, aiming to broker an end to the Gaza war. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the current situation based on the search results:

### 1. **Direct U.S.-Hamas Negotiations**

- The Trump administration has held **rare direct talks** with Hamas, facilitated by Qatari intermediaries, to secure the release of hostages and negotiate a ceasefire. This marks a significant shift from the long-standing U.S. policy of avoiding direct engagement with Hamas, which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) .

- These talks led to the release of **Edan Alexander**, an American-Israeli hostage, though Israel was not involved in the negotiations .

### 2. **Trump’s Demands and Warnings**

- Trump issued a **"last warning"** to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the bodies of deceased captives. He threatened severe consequences if Hamas failed to comply, stating, *"Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say"* .

- He also addressed Gazans directly, promising a "beautiful future" if hostages were released but warning of dire consequences otherwise .

### 3. **Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid**

- Hamas has linked further hostage releases to a **permanent ceasefire**, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and increased humanitarian aid. However, Israel has only agreed to temporary pauses, vowing to resume military operations afterward .

- The U.S. hopes the release of Alexander could pave the way for a broader agreement, but talks remain stalled due to Israel’s insistence on continuing the war until Hamas is dismantled .

### 4. **Trump’s "Freedom Zone" Proposal**

- Trump has floated a controversial plan to turn Gaza into a **"freedom zone"**, suggesting U.S. involvement in redeveloping the territory. This idea, which includes displacing Palestinians, has been rejected by Arab states and condemned as ethnic cleansing by Hamas .

### 5. **Strained U.S.-Israel Relations**

- Trump’s direct engagement with Hamas and his Middle East tour—which excluded Israel—have raised concerns in Jerusalem. Analysts note a growing **rift between Trump and Netanyahu**, particularly over Iran policy and Gaza strategy .

- While Trump emphasizes **"America First"** and transactional diplomacy, Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to continue the war, complicating ceasefire efforts .

### 6. **Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza**

- Over **53,000 Palestinians** have reportedly been killed in the conflict, with widespread starvation due to Israel’s blockade. Trump acknowledged the crisis, stating, *"A lot of people are starving"*, but his administration has not constrained military aid to Israel .

### Key Takeaways:

- The U.S. is pursuing **unprecedented direct talks** with Hamas, bypassing Israel in some cases.

- Trump’s **hardline rhetoric** contrasts with his diplomatic outreach, while his "freedom zone" plan faces broad rejection.

- The **humanitarian catastrophe** in Gaza and political divisions in Israel are major obstacles to a lasting ceasefire.

For further details, you can explore the sources cited above.national security team continue to engage with both sides. His goal is not only to save money, but to save lives,” she added.

Last week, Hamas released soldier Edan Alexander, an American citizen, after what the group said were direct negotiations with the Trump administration. Hamas called the release “one of the steps” toward reaching a ceasefire in Gaza that would include reopening crossings and allowing humanitarian aid into the territory. Israel was not involved in the talks and did not release any prisoners in exchange.

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