The United States is holding bilateral discussions with Hamas, breaking with standard operations that typically include a mediator for communications with the terrorist group.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Wednesday during a press conference that President Donald Trump is overseeing the talks, calling it the “right thing for the American people.”
“There are American lives on the line,” Leavitt told reporters, asserting that the White House is open to “dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people.”
“The special envoy who is engaged in these negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” she said.
Reuters reported earlier that sources claim that the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, is spearheading the communications.
This arrangement is unprecedented, diverging from the U.S. government’s long-standing policy of not negotiating directly with foreign terrorist organizations. It is the first instance of such communications with Hamas.
Leavitt said in her White House press conference that Israel was consulted and made aware of the initiative.
The peace deal between Israel and Hamas is fragile as the U.S. works to mediate next steps for the people of the Gaza Strip.
A plan proposed by the White House that would place Gaza in the long-term care of the U.S. is being rejected as unacceptable by various Middle Eastern powers.
The proposal would remove Palestinian residents in Gaza from their homes and fund the development of the area into what the president calls “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
Egypt recently offered an alternative $53 billion proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza at an emergency summit of Arab states in Cairo.
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The Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement that Egypt’s plan was “rooted in outdated perspectives,” criticizing the proposal’s reliance on the Palestinian Authority and the continued presence of Hamas.
A source close to Saudi Arabia’s royal court said the primary stumbling block was the plan allowing for the continued armed presence of Hamas despite sidelining the U.S.-designated terrorist organization from the governing body.
