Biden government is set to negotiate with Hamas for American hostages' release

WASHINGTON, DC: Joe Biden's administration, while speaking with current and former US officials, has considered holding direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of five American hostages held in Gaza if the terrorists’ cease-fire negotiations with Israel ultimately fall through.

Two current senior US officials and two former officials briefed on the discussions told NBC News in a report published on Monday, June 10, that the negotiations would be carried out through Qatar, which has assisted in the release of American hostages in the past.

Identities of the 5 American hostages held in Gaza

The United States would attempt to secure the bodies of three additional Israeli Americans: Itay Chen, Judy Weinstein, and Gad Haggai, who were thought to have perished during the terrorist attack on October 7 in addition to releasing Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

What did hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents say?

The parents of Goldberg-Polin, Rachel, and Jon, expressed their gratitude to the United States for reaching an agreement to release their 23-year-old son, who is a dual Israeli citizen and had one of his arms amputated following his kidnapping.

“We have seen the reports that the US administration is considering negotiating directly with Hamas on freeing US citizens from captivity in Gaza,” the parents said in a statement, per New York Post.

“We welcome any negotiations that will lead to the return home of our loved ones who have been in captivity for over 8 months,” they said. “We pray that every family with hostages will be reunited with their loved ones imminently.”

The negotiations would not include Israel

Israel would not be participating in the negotiations because peace talks between the Netanyahu-led nation and Hamas have come to a standstill due to the terror group's demands for the permanent cessation of the conflict and the allowance to continue governing Gaza.

The exact nature of the American offer to Hamas for the release of the hostages is still unknown, but officials stated that the terror group might find a deal alluring as a way to sour relations with the US and further weaken Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu could be pressured to compromise on a cease-fire agreement

According to a former senior official, internal talks concerning a US proposal included the notion that Netanyahu might face pressure to make concessions on a cease-fire agreement if the US were to first achieve its own unilateral agreement with Hamas.

The prime minister is already under extreme domestic pressure to reach a deal to free the estimated 120 hostages remaining in Gaza.

Netanyahu has insisted that applying military force is the best way to free the hostages and on Saturday, June 8, he even praised the raid in central Gaza that resulted in the release of four Israeli hostages who had been held captive by Hamas for eight months.

Joe Biden's administration faces backlash for their delayed interaction with Hamas

Netizens slammed the Biden government for waiting so long before finally deciding to engage in a conversation with the Hamas militants. One X (formerly Twitter) user asked, "November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, and now he’s going to discuss getting American hostages freed? What the hell has Joe been doing for all these months?"

Another opined, "Hamas won't listen to the US .... sees the US as an Israeli ally ..."

"Yeah, after 8 long months…suddenly now they care to negotiate," tweeted one while another said, "They should’ve been doing this in October. Why did they wait to engage?"

"What's the hurry, it's only been 9 months...jfc," mocked a user.

"Negotiating directly with Hamas could be a game-changer. It's risky but could lead to the safe return of the hostages. Let's hope for a positive outcome!" wrote one.

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