US officials consider direct talks with militants to Hamas to secure the release of five American hostages in Gaza. The move comes as a contingency plan if ongoing ceasefire discussions with Israel do not produce the desired outcome, according to NBC News, News.bg reports.
Specifics of what the US could offer Hamas in exchange for the hostages' freedom remain unclear. This information comes from a combination of current and former US officials. The situation has been tense since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which led to a sharp response from Israel and the tragic loss of three Americans, whose bodies have not yet been found.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking from Cairo, stressed that the ceasefire agreement currently under consideration is the most effective strategy to ensure the safe return of the hostages. However, if these talks fail, the US is prepared to engage directly with Hamas through Qatari intermediaries, excluding Israel from these discussions.
Such a deal could potentially strain already strained relations between the US and Israel. It is believed that Hamas may see this as an opportunity to use the situation against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing internal pressure to resolve the hostage situation.
In light of these events, Israeli government spokesman David Menser called on all nations to exert maximum pressure on Hamas to release the hostages.
Secretary Blinken is currently on his eighth visit to the region since the incident in October, underscoring the US commitment to resolving the crisis and ensuring the safety of its citizens abroad.