India, March 6 -- The Donald Trump administration has been conducting secret talks with Hamas on the possibility of releasing American hostages being held in Gaza, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing two unnamed sources who have direct knowledge regarding the meetings.

The talk gains special significance as the US never engaged with Hamas directly before since the group was designated as a terrorist organisation in 1997.

Although the US government had spoken to Israel about the possibility of holding talks with Hamas, Jerusalem learned about the same through other channels.

The talks are concentrating on American hostages, but according to Axios' sources, discussions regarding a broader deal to release all remaining hostages have also ...