President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that a senior US official held direct talks with Hamas recently about gaining the release of hostages held in Gaza, after it was revealed earlier this week that direct engagement occurred between the two for the first time in decades. Trump said the effort was”aimed at helping Israel and that the United States would not pay for the release of captives”.

President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that a top US official held direct conversations with Hamas lately about gaining the release of hostages held in Gaza, after it was disclosed earlier this week that direct engagement happened between the two for the first time in decades. Trump stated that the effort was “aimed at helping Israel and that the United States would not pay for the release of captives”. The US president’s remarks come as his envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, accused Hamas of “not being forthright” with Washington during recent discussions, emphasizing that the US wants to continue negotiations with the group but has threatened “an alternative option that will not be good” if the talks fail.

This comes after the US State Department rejected Egypt’s plan for Gaza Strip rehabilitation, stating that it “does not meet the requirements and nature of what President Donald Trump has requested.” Despite Israel’s total closure and ban on humanitarian help entering Gaza, Palestinians continue to struggle with dwindling supplies of food and basics, as well as rising costs.

Israel has imposed limitations on Muslim worshippers intending to pray at Al-Aqsa in occupied east Jerusalem, allowing only those over the age of 50 and their small children from the occupied West Bank to visit the holy compound on Fridays during Ramadan. According to a statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, a “limited number of Muslim worshippers” would be admitted beginning Friday, in accordance with last year’s arrangement, without stating how many. Men 55 and older, women 50 and older, and children under the age of 12 are eligible. They must also pass through security screening and several checkpoints.

In an official statement on X, the ministry criticized Israel’s damage of mosques.