President Donald Trump’s administration has moved US engagement with Hamas into territory previously untrodden. For years, official US contact with the group took place through intelligence channels or via third parties. The Trump team has done away with those approaches, however, instead engaging directly with the militant group, which the State Department has designated a foreign terrorist organization since 1997. 

The New York Times reported on Nov. 13 that US special envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet “soon” with Hamas' de facto leader Khalil al-Hayya. The State Department later denied that Witkoff was making a trip to Turkey thought to be linked to the meeting, but Witkoff and Hayya previously met in October of this year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a session that also included Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who played an active role in the Gaza ceasefire effort. The ceasefire was reached in October. In March, Adam Boehler, the administration’s hostage envoy, held three meetings with Hamas officials in Qatar to secure the release of dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander.

Referring to Hamas’ release of Israelis it took hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, Trump said in a mid-November speech, “A lot of work has been done by Hamas — and a lot of people said they wouldn’t be doing that, but they did do it.” 

Asked by Al-Monitor’s Elizabeth Hagedorn whether Hamas is talking regularly to US officials like Witkoff, Hamas official Basem Naim said, “No, we cannot say regularly," but added that Hamas is "welcoming any talks, direct talks."