The US is in dialogue talks with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The news was confirmed to the media this Wednesday by White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt, who said that President Donald Trump's administration is in direct dialogue with the Palestinian group Hamas, and that these discussions are in the interest of the US.
Leavitt also said that Israel has been consulted "on this matter" and talks are "ongoing."
Leavitt declined to specify the scope of the discussions, including whether they relate only to the release of other hostages held by Hamas, or whether they address Trump's broader proposal to take ownership of the Gaza Strip.
"Dialogue and conversation with people around the world about the best interests of the American people is something that the president has demonstrated, is what he believes is a good faith effort to do what is right for the American people," she told reporters at the White House.
The news site Axios earlier on Wednesday revealed the existence of secret negotiations, which have been taking place in the Qatari capital in recent weeks.
Axios identified US presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler as leading the American delegation, a fact acknowledged by Leavitt.
A temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, which began on January 19, briefly halted the violence but expired last weekend.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to negotiate the second phase of the three-phase deal and instead seeks to extend the first phase. Hamas, however, insists on negotiations for the second phase, including a full Israeli withdrawal and a complete end to the war.