US officials have held “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Wednesday.

The talks come as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in the balance.

Leavitt declined to provide detail on the the substance of talks.

“Look dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people, is something that the president has proven is what he believes is [a] good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.

Leavitt added that the Israel has been consulted about the direct engagement with Hamas officials.

She said that the US hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, “does have the authority to talk to anyone” despite the usual US ban on dealing with terrorist groups.

“There are American lives at stake,” she said.

Axios first reported on the talks, saying that Boehler met Hamas representatives in the Qatari capital Doha in recent weeks.

While focused on securing the release of hostages, he discussed freeing them as part of a long-term truce, the news site said, citing anonymous sources.

More details soon …