Hamas confirms direct talks with US on freeing hostages

Hamas officials said the group has held direct talks with a U.S. envoy on freeing hostages held in Gaza, after the White House said it was engaged in talks with the Palestinian militants.

"Several communications took place between Hamas and various American communication channels, the latest being with a U.S. envoy and discussed the issue of Israeli prisoners who hold American citizenship, both the living and the deceased," said a Hamas official who asked to remain anonymous.

A second senior Hamas official said there had been "two direct meetings between Hamas and U.S. officials in Doha in recent days."