Washington, – U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that Washington is engaged in what he described as “very deep negotiations” with the Palestinian group Hamas, urging them to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump warned Hamas that failure to release the hostages could result in a “hard” and “ugly” outcome. “We told them: release them all, release them immediately. Better things will happen. But if you don’t, it will be a very difficult and nasty situation,” Trump said, adding that Hamas is “asking for certain good things” in return. He did not provide further details.
The talks mark the most direct U.S. acknowledgment of backchannel diplomacy with Hamas since the group abducted over 250 people during its October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Nearly two years later, about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only an estimated 20 believed to be alive.
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel—backed by the United States—launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the enclave’s entire population, according to international monitors.
Israel faces accusations of ethnic cleansing and war crimes at international courts, allegations it strongly denies.
Hamas has insisted that hostages will only be released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the war will not end until all hostages are freed, Hamas is disarmed, and Israel assumes security control of Gaza.
On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly promised to end the Gaza war “quickly” if reelected. His latest remarks appear aimed at positioning himself as a dealmaker who can succeed where diplomatic stalemates persist.
While Trump’s statement signals active U.S. engagement, the lack of specifics leaves uncertainty over whether “deep talks” with Hamas can yield results. For the families of the hostages, the stakes remain brutally clear: every day without a breakthrough is another day of waiting in anguish.
