Hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, a senior Hamas official says the extremist group is ready to open talks with the United States, making an unusual offer to a country Hamas has long accused of supporting Israel. He said he was ready.
Comments by Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior official based in Qatar, indicate that at least some Hamas leaders could engage directly with the incoming Trump administration, even though the United States has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization since 1997. It suggests that you want. .
Abu Marzouk's comments could also indicate that Hamas is emboldened by the ceasefire and believes there may be opportunities to expand its international relations.
“We are ready to have a dialogue with the United States and get an understanding on everything,” Abu Marzouk, the founding leader of Hamas's political office, said in a telephone interview on Sunday.
In addition to the United States, many Western countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, also consider Hamas a terrorist organization. However, Hamas has worked to improve relations with Western governments, including releasing a policy document in 2017 that takes a more moderate stance than its founding charter. The document called the establishment of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza “the creation of a national consensus,” but it also rejected Israeli recognition.
The group refuses to renounce violence and recognize Israel, and was forcefully condemned by the United States and European countries after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack in southern Israel. Analysts say the attack reflects the ascendancy of the group's hard-line leaders, who advocate violent conflict over a long-term agreement with Israel.
However, President Trump has so far expressed an interest in talks with America's longtime adversaries, such as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Abu Marzouk, a native of Gaza and a former resident of Northern Virginia, is a member of Hamas's political office, but he has no control over all senior Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Sinwar and Izzeldin al-Haddad. It is not clear whether he is speaking on their behalf. Hardline military commander in Gaza.
He is considered one of Hamas' most pragmatic voices and heads Hamas's diplomatic office. Other Hamas leaders are further investing in building relationships with members of the so-called axis of resistance, including Iran, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Yemen's Houthis.
Abu Marzouk, 74, said that despite long-standing U.S. policy to provide billions of dollars in arms to Israel and defend it in international organizations, Hamas has not received special envoys from the Trump administration in the coastal enclave. He said he was ready to welcome him. Hamas would also provide protection to such visitors, he added.
“The president can come to the people and try to understand their feelings and wishes. Then the American position will be based on the interests of all parties, not just one party.” Deaf,” he said.
On Saturday, NBC News reported, citing anonymous Trump transition officials with direct knowledge of the ceasefire process, that Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is considering a visit to Gaza to help preserve the ceasefire agreement. Ta.
The Hamas leader's comments are in line with many statements made by Hamas during the first Trump administration, which criticized the relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the end of aid to the Palestinians, and the peace plan. It was a complete contrast. This greatly favored Israel's position.
After the former Trump administration announced the plan, Hamas called it a “shameful deal.”
One of the reasons Hamas wants to work with the United States is to ensure the entry of supplies needed to rebuild Gaza without conditions that could jeopardize its ability to remain the most dominant Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip. That's probably true.
Hamas will need to offer some kind of compromise if it wants enough aid to rebuild Gaza flowing into the enclave. Hamas leaders have previously said they are willing to relinquish civilian rule in Gaza, but not dismantle its military wing. Analysts say this dynamic is similar to Hezbollah's role in Lebanon before the last conflict with Israel.
Stephen Chan, Trump's incoming White House communications director, did not respond to a request for comment.
Abu Marzouk also praised Trump, who helped broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling him a “serious president.”
“Without President Trump, his insistence on ending the war, and the sending of a decisive representative, this deal would not have been possible,” Abu Marzouk said of Witkoff.
The deal ultimately calls for a “permanent cessation of military operations and hostilities,” but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that after some of the hostages held by the militants were released, The military has repeatedly indicated it will resume attacks on Hamas.
In addition to Qatar and Egypt, members of the Biden administration, including senior White House official Brett McGuirk and CIA Director Bill Burns, also played key roles in finalizing the ceasefire agreement. But Mr. Witkoff told Mr. Netanyahu that Mr. Trump wanted the deal to be completed and that he would recognize Israel, according to officials briefed on the meeting on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. He is said to have contributed to the promotion.
Still, Abu Marzouk insisted that Trump's role will be critical to seeing the deal through, especially in pressuring Netanyahu.
“The truth is, Trump is credited with ending the war,” he said.
