The United States is considering the possibility of holding unilateral negotiations with terrorist group Hamas to release five American hostages held in Gaza if ceasefire negotiations involving Israel fail.
Two current and two former senior US officials spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity.
According to them, such negotiations would not include Israel and would take place through Qatari mediators, like the current negotiations.
The administration of US President Joe Biden said that Hamas was holding five American hostages who were kidnapped in the time of the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The United States hopes to find the bodies of three more Americans who died that day, NBC News notes.
Interlocutors said they do not know what The United States could offer Hamas in exchange for the release of American hostages.
However, officials say, the group may have an incentive to enter into a unilateral agreement with Washington, since it would likely further strain relations between the United States and Israel and create additional domestic political pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Prepared by: Nina Petrovich