Hours after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took impact, a senior Hamas official mentioned the militant group was able to open dialogue with the US, making a uncommon overture to a rustic Hamas has lengthy criticized for supporting Israel.
The feedback, made by Qatar-based official Moussa Abu Marzouk, counsel that a minimum of some senior members of Hamas hope he can interact straight with the incoming Trump administration, regardless that the US has designated Hamas a terrorist group since 1997. Mr. .
Mr. Abu Marzouk’s remarks might also point out that Hamas is feeling supported by the ceasefire and believes there could also be a chance to develop the group’s worldwide relations.
“We’re ready to dialogue with America and attain an understanding on all the things,” Mr. Abu Marzouk, the primary chief of Hamas’ political workplace, mentioned in a phone interview on Sunday.
Along with the US, many Western international locations additionally take into account Hamas a terrorist group, together with Britain and Canada. However Hamas has made some efforts to enhance relations with Western governments, together with by issuing a coverage doc in 2017 that took extra average positions than its founding constitution. The doc referred to as for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the pre-1967 borders. between Israel and the West Financial institution and Gaza “components of nationwide consensus”, but in addition rejected the popularity of Israel.
The group refused to surrender violence and acknowledge Israel even after the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. was roundly condemned by the US and European international locations. The assault, analysts say, is a mirrored image of the dominance of hardline leaders within the group, advocating violent battle over long-term agreements with Israel.
Nonetheless, President Trump has beforehand demonstrated a willingness to take action meet with longtime enemies of the US corresponding to Kim Jong-un, the chief of North Korea.
Mr. Abu Marzouk, a local of Gaza and a former resident of Northern Virginia, is a member of Hamas’ political workplace, however it’s unclear whether or not he speaks for all senior Hamas leaders, together with Mohammed Sinwar and Yzeldin al-Hadad, army officers mentioned commanders in Gaza.
He’s thought of some of the pragmatic voices in Hamas and heads Hamas’s overseas relations workplace. Different senior Hamas officers have invested extra in creating ties with members of the so-called axis of resistance, together with Iran, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis.
Abu Marzouk, 74, mentioned Hamas was additionally able to welcome an envoy from the Trump administration to the coastal enclave, regardless of a longstanding U.S. coverage of offering Israel with billions of {dollars} price of weapons and shielding it in worldwide establishments. Hamas, he added, would even present safety for such a customer.
“He can come and see the individuals and attempt to perceive their emotions and wishes, in order that the American place relies on the pursuits of all international locations, not only one nation,” he mentioned.
On Saturday, NBC Information reported that Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump’s Center East envoy, is contemplating a go to to Gaza to assist preserve the cease-fire settlement, citing an nameless Trump transition official with direct information of the cease-fire course of.
The Hamas chief’s feedback have been in stark distinction to many statements by Hamas in the course of the first Trump administration, which criticized the transfer of the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the popularity of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the cutoff of support to the Palestinians and the peace plan who strongly supported the Israeli positions.
After the earlier Trump administration unveiled its plan, Hamas referred to as it the “deal of disgrace.”
One purpose Hamas might need to liaise with the US is to make sure the entry of supplies wanted to rebuild Gaza with out circumstances that would undermine its means to stay essentially the most dominant Palestinian group within the territory.
Hamas will possible have to supply some compromises if it desires sufficient support to rebuild Gaza to circulation into the enclave. Till now, the leaders of Hamas have expressed readiness to surrender civilian rule in Gaza however with out dismantling its army wing – a dynamic that analysts say could be much like Hezbollah’s function in Lebanon earlier than its newest battle with Israel.
Stephen Cheng, Mr. Trump’s incoming White Home communications director, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Mr. Abu Marzouk additionally praised Mr. Trump for his involvement in serving to dealer a cease-fire settlement between Israel and Hamas, calling him a “critical president.”
“If it wasn’t for President Trump, his insistence on ending the warfare and his sending a decisive consultant, the deal wouldn’t have occurred,” Mr. Abu Marzouk mentioned, referring Mr. Witkoff.
Whereas the deal requires an eventual “stop of army operations and hostilities completely,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly recommended that the Israeli army will resume the assault on Hamas after some hostages held by the militants are freed.
Together with Qatar and Egypt, members of the Biden administration, together with White Home staffer Brett McGurk and CIA Director Invoice Burns, performed vital roles in brokering the cease-fire deal. However Mr. Witkoff helped encourage Israel to approve it by telling Mr. Netanyahu that Mr. Trump needed it accomplished, in accordance with officers briefed on the talks, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the delicate diplomacy.
Nonetheless, Mr. Abu Marzouk insisted that Mr. Trump’s function was essential in getting the deal to the end line, particularly in placing stress on Mr. Netanyahu.
“Frankly, Trump will get the credit score for ending the warfare,” he mentioned.
