The direct engagement comes as continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains uncertain. Trump has signaled that he has no intentions of pushing Netanyahu away from a return to combat if Hamas doesn’t agree to terms of a new ceasefire proposal, which the Israelis have billed as being drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

President Donald Trump gave a stark “last warning” to Hamas on Wednesday, telling the militant group to free all the remaining hostages that it took during its 2023 attack on southern Israel and threatening them with “hell to pay”—as the White House negotiates directly with Hamas for the first time in over 25 years.

The United States broke a longstanding diplomatic taboo by holding secret talks with Hamas on securing the release of U.S. hostages held in Gaza, sources told Reuters on Wednesday, while President Donald Trump warned of "hell to pay" should the Palestinian militant group not comply.