Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not informed of the talks before they took place and was caught off guard, said an Israeli with knowledge of the matter.

America’s secret talks with Hamas are moving along in a “positive” direction after President Trump warned the terror group to release the hostages in Gaza “or there will be hell to pay later” — but the covert negotiations came as a complete shock to Israel.

President Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas to release all hostages it still holds even as the White House confirmed unprecedented direct U.S.-Hamas talks.