Hamas says Palestinian negotiators have held several meetings with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy over the release of an American-Israeli captive being held in Gaza.

Taher Al-Nono, political adviser to the leader of the Palestinian resistance group, said the talks were held in the Qatari capital, Doha, over the past week.

“Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners,” al-Nono said.

“We informed the American delegation that we don’t oppose the prisoners’ release within the framework of these talks.”

Edan Alexander, who was a soldier with the Israeli military, is believed to be the last living American-Israeli captive held by Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas took about 250 people captive during its unprecedented operation against the occupied territories on October 7, 2023.

Nono said Hamas and Washington had also discussed how to see through the implementation of the phased ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the regime’s war on Gaza.

“We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people,” he said. 

Washington had never before engaged directly with Hamas, which it designated a “terrorist organization” in 1997.

Reports said Friday that the news of the direct negotiations has sparked outrage in Tel Aviv and led to a heated phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top aide Ron Dermer and Boehler.

Trump, however, has reportedly defended the talks to Tel Aviv as hopeful as they are focused on the release of “Israeli hostages.”

In an interview on the NBC News program Meet the Press, Boehler said the meetings with Hamas were extremely “helpful.”

He did not rule out additional encounters with the Palestinian group.

Under the ceasefire, brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar, Hamas has released 33 Israeli captives and five Thais for the release of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and abductees.

Israeli authorities say fewer than half of the remaining 59 captives are still alive.