Trump confirms US 'having discussions with Hamas'

US President Donald Trump speaks during an executive order signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Trump exempted Canadian goods covered by the North American trade agreement known as USMCA from his 25% tariffs, offering major reprieves to the US's two largest trading partners. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday (March 6) that the United States (US) is holding talks with the Palestinian group Hamas about the hostages in Gaza, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reports.  "We are having discussions with Hamas. We are helping Israel in those discussions, because we're talking about Israeli hostages," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Earlier, the White House confirmed that the Trump administration is engaged in direct dialogue with Hamas, adding that the talks align with the US's interests.

Trump said the US would not pay for the release of captives.

"We're not doing anything in terms of Hamas. We're not giving cash...You do have to negotiate. There's a difference between negotiating and paying. I want to get these people out," he added.

On Wednesday (March 5), Trump threatened Hamas with "severe consequences" if the group failed to immediately release all Israeli captives and hand over the bodies of dead hostages. - Bernama-Anadolu