The White House said Wednesday that US officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly engaging in the militant group.

The administration of U S President Donald Trump has reportedly been engaged in secret direct talks with the Hamas terror organization over the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and the

The discussions mark the first time the U.S. has held face-to-face talks with the militant group since Gaza war began.