From: The Times of Israel March 6, 2025
Witkoff: Trump’s ultimatum came after we didn’t like what we heard from Hamas, in direct talks

US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff defends the Trump administration’s decision to launch direct talks with Hamas, breaking with longstanding policy not to negotiate with the terror group.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Witkoff says Trump’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler held such conversations in recent days — not weeks — and that doing so is within his purview.

“I commend him for doing that. Adam cares about lives. The hostage families are grateful for it, and so is President Trump,” Wiktoff says.
“It was the responsibility of the special envoy to actually have a conversation and see if anything can be achieved,” Witkoff continues.

“Unfortunately, what we learned is that Hamas told us they were going to be thinking about it, a certain way… That’s important information for us to have.

Witkoff admits:
1. US captives are priority
2. and that Trump issued ultimatum after Hamas didn’t play ball, in the meeting

Trump has issued multiple ultimatums to Hamas over the past several months with limited [no] success.