US-Hamas direct talks focused on hostage exchange and a transition to the second phase of Gaza's ceasefire

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US officials held several rounds of direct talks with Hamas leaders in Qatar since the start of the year, focusing on American hostages in Gaza while also addressing other topics such as the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, sources briefed on the landmark discussions revealed to The National on Thursday.

The talks, confirmed by the US on Wednesday, included Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump's envoy on hostage affairs, and two other US officials. Representing Hamas were senior officials Khalil Al Hayah, Zaher Jabareen and Bassem Naim, the sources said.

The first round of talks, requested by the US, were held at a suburban hotel in Doha just before the Gaza ceasefire took effect on January 19, according to the sources. Egyptian and Qatari mediators co-ordinated the talks. At least one more round of talks was held in February, according to sources close to Hamas.

Five Americans are believed to remain among the hostages seized in the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 7, 2023 which led to the 15-months-old Gaza war. Four of the American hostages have been confirmed dead and the other, Edan Alexander, is believed to be alive.

“The talks in Doha were positive and saw Hamas show a great deal of flexibility,” said one of the sources. “The Americans were primarily seeking to gauge the Hamas leadership to see if the group can be a partner in a wider deal to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

A senior Hamas political source has confirmed the direct negotiations, stating that the talks have helped "facilitate" the transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement which would focus on ending the war and Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza.

"The negotiations with the United States took place in Qatar and were relatively positive," the source told The National on condition of anonymity. "The meetings with the American envoy were not solely about the release of hostages—the discussions contributed to easing the transition to the second phase of the Gaza agreement and the ceasefire," the Hamas source added.

News of the direct US-Hamas talks broke as Mr Trump issued his toughest threats of further destroying Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released, and an ultimatum to Hamas leaders to flee the territory.

“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is over for you,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform after meeting freed hostages at the White House on Wednesday.

“This is your last warning! For the leadership (of Hamas), now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”

The Hamas source suggested that Trump's remarks were "likely a form of media exaggeration" intended to deflect criticism over Washington's direct negotiations with the group.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that Israel was consulted on the talks. “Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is [a] good faith, effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.

The US had refused direct contact with Hamas since banning them as a terrorist organisation in 1997. However, Ms Leavitt said that the hostage envoy in his role “has the authority to talk to anyone”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed Israel was consulted and said that it “expressed its opinion” on the direct talks.

The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal ended on Sunday after six weeks of relative calm that included the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals for about 2,000 Palestinian detainees held in Israeli jails. Hamas is believed to be still holding nearly 60 hostages.

While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the second phase, which should lead to a permanent end to the war.

In response to Hamas's refusal, Israel halted the entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza, where more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in its devastating military campaign, according to the enclave's health ministry. Large, built-up areas in Gaza have also been razed and most of its 2.3 million residents displaced, many more than once.

The 2023 Hamas attack left about 1,200, mostly civilians, dead. The attackers also captured about 250 hostages and took them back to Gaza.