U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler’s Meeting with Hamas: Hopes for Hostage Releases and a Ceasefire Agreement
Discussions in Doha focus on American and Israeli hostages, as U.S. seeks clarity on Hamas' ultimate goals.
Watan-U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, said on Sunday that his meeting with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Doha was “very useful.” He noted that it is unknown if he will negotiate again with the movement, but he added that “he will be in the region at times and may meet with them.”
Boler said, “I believe we can release all the hostages, not just the Americans,” adding that something may be achieved regarding Gaza and the detainees “within weeks.”
He also indicated that he understands the Israeli “concerns” about the direct negotiations conducted by the Trump administration with Hamas.
“We are not agents of Israel; we have specific interests, and our communication with Hamas is for those purposes,” Boler explained.
He stressed that it is extremely difficult to reach any kind of ceasefire “until we know what Hamas wants,” adding, “I wanted to ask them what their ultimate goal is and what they think is realistic at this stage.”
Hamas Confirms
On the other hand, Hamas leader Taher al-Nono told Reuters that meetings took place in Doha between Hamas leaders and U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler in recent days. These meetings focused on securing the release of an American-Israeli still held in Gaza.
He stated, “Several meetings took place in Doha, focusing on the release of one of the dual-national hostages. We dealt with great flexibility and positively, to serve the interests of the Palestinian people.”
He added that both sides also discussed how to implement the interim agreement aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
“We informed the U.S. delegation of our willingness to release the prisoner within the framework of these talks, and the necessity of holding the occupation accountable to the terms of the agreement. The U.S. is one of the guarantors of the deal,” al-Nono said.
Leaks
The White House confirmed last Wednesday that direct talks were held with Hamas following leaks published by U.S. and Israeli media.
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt, during a press conference, said the Trump administration had held direct discussions with Hamas, and that the talks are ongoing.
“When it comes to the negotiations you’re referring to, first and foremost, the special envoy who participated in those negotiations has authority,” Levitt said. She added that Israel was consulted, and although she did not specify the scope of the discussions with Hamas, she emphasized that dialogue and communication with people around the world to serve the best interests of the American people is what President Trump believes is “a good-faith effort to do what is right for the American people.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that it was aware of the U.S. conducting direct talks with Hamas and stated that Israel had conveyed its opinion on those talks to the Americans.
According to Israel Hayom, a source close to the matter said, “Israel is very concerned about the direct talks between the Trump administration and Hamas.”
A Palestinian source also confirmed that U.S. envoy Adam Boehler met with Hamas officials in Doha weeks ago. The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the discussions were aimed at gauging positions on a potential deal to release Israeli-American prisoners.
The source added that Hamas expressed to the U.S. envoy its desire to reach a comprehensive deal to end the war, with an emphasis on moving into the second phase of the agreement.
Agreement Extension
Axios reported that Hamas is still holding 59 prisoners in Gaza, with the Israeli military confirming that 35 of them have died. Israeli intelligence believes 22 are still alive, while the fate of two others is unknown.
Among the remaining detainees are five Americans, including 21-year-old Aidan Alexander, who is believed to be alive.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted 42 days, officially ended on March 1, after both sides failed to reach an agreement on extending it.
