A spokesperson for Hamas has expressed approval of US President Donald Trump’s apparent withdrawal from his proposal for the permanent displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, urging him to avoid aligning himself with the agenda of the “extreme Zionist right”.
This statement from the Hamas official followed Mr. Trump’s remarks that “nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza” during a meeting at the White House with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
“If President Trump’s comments signify a withdrawal from any notion of displacing the residents of the Gaza Strip, we welcome that,” the official noted in the statement.
“We (Hamas) urge this position to be strengthened by holding the Israeli occupation accountable for fulfilling all the terms of the ceasefire agreements.”
On Sunday, Taher Al-Nono, political advisor to the Hamas leader, confirmed that unprecedented direct discussions with Washington were held in the Qatari capital over the past week, centered around the release of an American-Israeli dual national in the group’s custody in Gaza.
He also mentioned that the meetings involving Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler included discussions on the implementation of a phased agreement aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Israel and Hamas indicated on Saturday that they were preparing for the next stage of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators advanced discussions to extend a 42-day truce that commenced in January.
A Hamas delegation met with Egyptian mediators over the past two days and reaffirmed their willingness to negotiate the next stage of the ceasefire.
On Monday, Israel sent negotiators to Doha for further ceasefire talks.
The discussions between Mr. Boehler and Hamas have marked a break from a long-standing US policy against negotiating with groups designated as terrorist organizations.
The Islamist militant group conducted a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking a devastating war in Gaza that, according to health officials, has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians.
According to Israeli reports, Hamas militants killed 1,200 individuals and took 251 hostages.
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