Egypt Daily News – Tahir Al-Nono, a senior official in the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), told Reuters on Sunday that meetings had taken place in recent days between Hamas leaders and the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, focusing on the release of an American-Israeli still held in Gaza.
Al-Nono, the media advisor to the head of Hamas’ political bureau, confirmed the unprecedented direct talks with Washington, stating that the discussions took place in Doha last week.
He said, “Several meetings were indeed held in Doha, focusing on the release of a dual-national prisoner. We responded with great flexibility and positivity in a way that serves 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 American delegation that we have no objection to releasing the prisoner within the framework of these talks, while emphasizing the necessity of obligating the occupation to uphold its commitments under the agreement, proceeding directly to the second phase of the deal, and fulfilling all its obligations—especially since the U.S. is one of the guarantors of the agreement,” he said.
Boehler told CNN on Sunday that the talks were “very useful.” In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, he stated that the Trump administration is focused on securing the release of the remaining 59 hostages and ending the war.
“I believe there is a real opportunity for some movement and to see some hostages return home in the coming weeks,” he added.
On Saturday, Israel and Hamas announced their readiness to negotiate the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, while mediators continue their talks to extend the fragile truce that came into effect in January.
A Hamas delegation met with Egyptian mediators over the past two days and reaffirmed its readiness to negotiate the implementation of the second phase of the agreement. Israel also stated that it would send negotiators to Doha on Monday for talks regarding the ceasefire agreement.
