US envoy confident captive deal with Hamas possible 'within weeks'
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Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nono told Reuters that the recent US-Hamas talks have primarily focused on the release of an American-Israeli dual national held by the group in Gaza.
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US envoy Adam Boehler speaks during a US hostage and wrongful detainee flag raising ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2025 (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)
Adam Boehler, the US envoy who engaged in direct talks with Hamas, described the meeting as "very helpful" and expressed confidence that a deal to release Israeli captives held in Gaza could be reached "within weeks".
In an interview for CNN, Boehler acknowledged the unusual nature of the talks, considering that Hamas has been designated a "terrorist" organization by the US since 1997. However, he did not rule out future meetings with the Palestinian group.
Boehler recognized "Israel's" concerns over the US meeting with Hamas but emphasized his intent to revive "fragile" negotiations.
"In the end, I think it was a very helpful meeting," he said, adding, "I think something could come together within weeks... I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans."
He hinted at the possibility of further talks, stating, "You never know. You know, sometimes, you're in the area and you drop by."
The first phase of a ceasefire concerning the release of some Israeli captives ended earlier this month, but the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel" are now in disagreement over when to transition into the second phase, which aims for a complete end to the war on the Gaza Strip.
While "Israel" wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on moving to the second phase, which is aimed at achieving a permanent end to the war.
During this phase, the Resistance released 25 living captives and the bodies of eight others in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinian detainees and prisoners held in Israeli occupation prisons.
Of the 251 individuals taken captive on October 7, 2023, 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military has confirmed as dead.
Last week, US President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas, threatening additional destruction in Gaza if all remaining captives were not released.
Boehler acknowledged the "consternation" "Israel" felt over the US' engagement with Hamas, saying, "We're the United States. We're not an agent of Israel."
He also pledged to travel to Syria to secure the release of Austin Tice, an American journalist abducted in 2012.
Tice, a freelance journalist working for outlets such as Agence France-Presse and The Washington Post, was detained at a checkpoint in Syria.
With hopes reignited after the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Boehler vowed to locate Tice, stating, "If he's there, I'm going to bring him home. If he's dead, I'm going to dig up his remains with the FBI... and we'll bring them home to his mom."
US-Hamas talks focused on release of American-Israeli captive: Al-Nono
In the same context, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nono told Reuters on Sunday that recent meetings between Hamas leaders and US captives negotiator Adam Boehler have primarily focused on the release of an American-Israeli dual national held by the group in Gaza.
Al-Nono, political advisor to the leader of Hamas, confirmed the direct talks with the US, noting that they had occurred over the past week in the Qatari capital, Doha.
"Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners. We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people," al-Nono pointed out.
He further explained that both sides had also addressed how to implement the phased agreement aimed at ending the war on Gaza.
"We informed the American delegation that we don't oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks," the Palestinian official noted.
Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, emphasized last week that securing the release of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old from New Jersey believed to be the last remaining American captive held by Hamas in Gaza, was a "top priority".
Alexander, who served as a soldier in the Israeli occupation military, has been in captivity since the outbreak of the war.
On Saturday, "Israel" and Hamas indicated they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire talks, with mediators working to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.
A Hamas delegation met over the past two days with Egyptian mediators, reaffirming its commitment to negotiating the second phase of the deal. "Israel" also announced it would send negotiators to Doha on Monday for further discussions on the ceasefire.
On Sunday, "Israel's" Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, announced that he had instructed the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to cease electricity sales to Gaza, a move he claimed was aimed at pressuring Hamas to release captives.
However, the measure is unlikely to have an immediate impact, as "Israel" had already cut off the power supply to Gaza at the start of the war. It could, however, affect a wastewater treatment plant currently relying on the supply.
Al-Nono praised Witkoff for his significant role in securing the ceasefire agreement on January 19 that brought an end to the war on Gaza.
"We hope that he (Witkoff) will work to succeed in the negotiation of the second phase," he concluded.
Read more: White House envoy to travel to Doha to push for new Gaza deal: Axios
