US official denies meeting between Witkoff and Hamas officials in Doha

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A US official denied on Wednesday reports of a meeting between US President Donald Trump’s Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas officials in Doha.

The denial came after sources in Cairo said that the meeting happened in the Qatari capital on Wednesday. Egyptian media carried the news.

"This is absolutely false. Senior Advisor and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff did not meet with Hamas," said Eddie Vasquez, Communications Director for Mr Witkoff.

"It is fake news. It comes as no surprise that they're anonymous."

US envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, met Hamas leaders several times in recent months.

US-led negotiations on Gaza are continuing in an effort to clinch a deal to pause the war, with the conflict high on the agenda during President Donald Trump's visit to the region.

This week, sources told The National that negotiations were continuing simultaneously in Egypt and Qatar, long-time Washington allies who, along with the US, have been mediating an end to the war in Gaza since shortly after it broke out in October 2023.

The sources said the negotiations in Doha were focused on a truce, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the entry of desperately needed humanitarian aid into the war-devastated enclave.

The stakeholders of the Gaza negotiations, according to the sources, were also exploring scenarios beyond a truce, looking into ways to end the war and start the reconstruction of the enclave, as well as discussing the future of Hamas.