The U.S. has a longstanding policy against negotiating directly with a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a designation given to Hamas by the U.S. government in 1997.

The White House confirmed it held unprecedented direct talks with Hamas in an effort to secure the release of the last remaining American hostages trapped in Gaza.

The US on Wednesday confirmed unprecedented direct talks with Hamas on the release of hostages, as Israel threatened to renew its military campaign in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire.