The US has held negotiations with Hamas, the White House has confirmed.
At a new briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there had been “ongoing talks and discussions” between the two.
She would not be drawn on the substance of the talks – taking place in Doha, Qatar – but said Israel had been consulted.
Ms Leavitt continued: “Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people, is something that the president has proven is what he believes is a good faith, effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
There are “American lives at stake,” she added.
Israel estimates about 24 living hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, and the bodies of at least 35 others are still believed to be in Gaza.
The US has a long-held policy of not negotiating with terrorists – which it is breaking with the these talks, as Hamas has been designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US government’s National Counterterrorism Center.
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