Senior Hamas official confirms direct talks with US Trump administration
Hamas is holding direct negotiations with the US administration, a senior official for the Palestinian militant group confirmed in an interview with Al Arabiya English, further deepening concerns Israel has about the reliability of its most important ally.
'We were, in some stations, in direct talks with the American administrations and we have met with some representatives of the American administration,' Bassem Naim told Melinda Nucifora on Counterpoints.
One of those talks included US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler held in March, he noted.
Suspicions about the strength of Israeli-US relations first came under the spotlight after the surprise announcement that Washington would halt strikes against Yemen's Houthi militia.
They were intensified after US President Donald Trump revealed that the last living American hostage was freed after a deal made with Hamas as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza – talks which Israel was not a part of.
According to Naim, the release of US-Israeli Edan Alexander was a 'gesture' intended to showcase the militant group was serious about reaching a ceasefire deal with Israel that would see the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for the release of Israeli hostages, the total withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, and the entry of aid into the territory.
'Within these talks and negotiations, there was a clear understanding between us and the Americans that when we do this [release Alexander], President Trump, he will thank Hamas for this,' Naim said.
'But what is most important, he will – on the second day – oblige Israel to allow aid to come into Gaza, and he will call for immediate ceasefire talks with the goal to end this war, including the prisoner exchange,' he added.
However, Trump failed to keep up his end of the bargain and was unable to push Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal under conditions stipulated by Hamas, Naim noted.
Despite this, Hamas does still believe that the Trump administration can help achieve long-lasting peace between the Palestinians and Israelis, he added.
'Look, our enemy is only one. It is the Israeli occupation. And we have heard a lot about the vision and the intentions of President Trump to de-escalate the situation in a lot of areas around the world. He is doing this in Ukraine. He is doing this in Yemen. He is [doing this] by adopting negotiations with Iran instead of going towards war based on the wishes of Netanyahu,' Naim said.
'We believe that President Trump can do it.'
Netanyahu has vowed to push ahead with a promised escalation of force in Israel's war in the Gaza Strip to pursue his aim of destroying the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza.
In comments released by Netanyahu's office Tuesday, the prime minister said Israeli forces were days away from entering Gaza 'with great strength to complete the mission ... It means destroying Hamas.'
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