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US hostage envoy calls meeting with Hamas "useful"
2025-03-10 15:49:40 / BOTA
The Trump administration's envoy for hostage release described his recent meetings with representatives of Hamas, the group designated as a terrorist group by the United States, as "useful."
The discussions focused on the release of an American-Israeli hostage being held by Hamas.
As Voice of America correspondent Arash Arabasadi reports, Israel is planning to send a delegation to Qatar to discuss the ceasefire.
This weekend thousands of Israelis gathered outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv.
The protesters demanded that the Israeli government reach an agreement with Hamas for the release of the hostages.
Last week in Washington, President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration had held direct talks with Hamas for the first time, a reversal of long-standing US policy of not negotiating with terrorists.
"We are discussing with Hamas. We are helping Israel in the discussions, because we are talking about Israeli hostages. We are not doing anything about Hamas.
"We're not giving money. In fact, I secured the release of 59 hostages without giving anything," says President Trump.
On Sunday morning, supporters and family members of the hostages woke up in tents outside the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Their message was clear: no new conflicts with Hamas and securing an agreement for the release of the hostages.
"There are dozens of people who joined our call for the government to stop the war and for all the hostages to return home," says Ayala Metzger, a relative of a murdered hostage.
In recent days, a Trump administration negotiator met with Hamas to discuss a deal to release the hostages, a meeting he called "very useful."
"I think within a few weeks we could see results. I believe there is room to maneuver between what Hamas wants and what they would accept and what Israel wants and what is acceptable to them."
"I think an agreement can be reached for the release of all prisoners, not just the American ones," says Adam Boehler, the US envoy for hostages.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Khan Younis, Gaza are facing shortages of essentials.
Israel imposed a total blockade on all goods into the enclave - including food, fuel and medicine - until the release of 59 hostages, who continue to be held in Gaza by Hamas.
Palestinians say they are waiting for hours to get a loaf of bread, due to a lack of electricity and firewood for cooking.
Israel says it will send a delegation to Qatar on Monday to continue negotiations with mediators from Egypt and Qatar./ VOA
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