The talks marked a significant departure for the United States, which has generally refused to talk directly with groups Washington has designated as terrorist organizations.

Hamas is set to free six more Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip. The release scheduled for Saturday would also involve freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

U.S. President Donald Trump asked Hamas militants to immediately release all hostages held in Gaza in what he called his "last warning" to them while also urging the group's leadership to leave the Palestinian enclave.