WASHINGTON ā The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Trumpās Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has engaged in direct talks with Hamas.
āThe special envoy whoās engaged in this negotiation does have the authority to talk to anyone. Israel was consulted on this matter,ā press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at her regular briefing.

āDialogue and talking to people around the world to do whatās in the best interests of the American people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is a good faith effort to do whatās right for the American people.ā
At least one American-citizen hostage ā Edan Alexander, 21 ā is believed to remain alive following the abductions that took place during Hamas terroristsā Oct. 7, 2023, rampage that triggered Israelās invasion, which halted with a cease-fire agreement in January.

Leavitt would not say if the talks also broached Trumpās proposal for a US takeover of the Gaza Strip.
āThese are ongoing talks and discussions. Iām not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake. I would defer you to the Department of State for further details, but Iām not going to get into those talks,ā she said.