Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration is reportedly considering a move to bypass Israel to begin negotiating directly with Hamas terrorists.
According to a new NBC News report, top Biden admin officials held discussions about negotiating with the terror group regarding the release of American hostages.
The report notes that Biden officials are planning to skirt around Israel’s involvement in such negotiations.
The discussions would only begin if the current “ceasefire” talks between Israel and Hamas break down, NBC News reported.
U.S. representatives would negotiate with Hamas through Qatari representatives.
Israel’s own discussions have been taking place in a similar way.
It is believed that five American citizens were taken hostage by Hamas during the terrorist group’s surprise attack against Israel on October 7.
The U.S. is also seeking the remains of three American citizens who were killed by terrorists on that day.
The State Department has cautioned that it is unclear whether or how many of the hostages taken on Oct. 7 are still alive.
The report comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken went to Egypt to launch an effort to increase pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach a “ceasefire” agreement in the Gaza Strip.
There are concerns that the war could expand into Lebanon, where the Iran-funded terrorist group Hezbollah is based.
Hezbollah is carrying out its own attacks against Israel.
Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo and is scheduled to travel to Israel later on Monday.
In Israel, Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
On May 31, Biden outlined a three-phase “ceasefire” proposal from Israel that envisions the release of Israeli hostages and Hamas prisoners.
The plan would also involve the reconstruction of Hamas-controlled Gaza.
Netanyahu’s government is facing a precarious future after Israeli minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from the PM’s government this weekend.
Blinken is expected to meet with Gantz on Tuesday, a senior State Department official said.
The departure of Gantz’s centrist party will not pose an immediate threat to the government.
However, it could have a serious impact nonetheless.
It leaves Netanyahu reliant on hardliners with no end in sight to the war.
The Jewish states could also face a possible escalation in fighting with Hezbollah in the north.
“Ceasefire” talks have intensified since Biden’s speech.
CIA Director William Burns met senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt on Wednesday in Doha to discuss the plan.
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