The White House said Wednesday that US officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly engaging in the militant group.

The discussions mark the first time the U.S. has held face-to-face talks with the militant group since Gaza war began.

The administration of U S President Donald Trump has reportedly been engaged in secret direct talks with the Hamas terror organization over the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and the