Hamas says it is in direct talks with U.S.

Hamas is holding direct talks with the U.S. administration and has submitted its proposals not only through mediators but also “directly to people in Washington,” senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Sky News.

Naim said Hamas was ready to “immediately hand over power in Gaza” in exchange for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. He added that the group accepted an Egyptian proposal for the formation of “an independent, politically unaffiliated Palestinian government” in the Gaza Strip.

“As long as we remain under occupation, we have the full right to defend our people and resist by all means,” he said.

Naim expressed hope that former U.S. President Donald Trump could help broker a peace deal. “He has the tools and the will to achieve a resolution. All he needs to do is apply pressure on the Israelis. We are ready to cooperate with him to promote peace in the region,” he said.

In a statement issued Thursday, Hamas recalled that it had released a hostage with U.S. citizenship and received “certain promises” from the United States. It said it expected those pledges to be fulfilled before any new hostage exchange agreements.

“Based on our understandings with the American side and in coordination with mediators, we expect the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a call for a permanent ceasefire, and the start of comprehensive negotiations to achieve stability and security in the region,” the statement said. “Failure to meet these expectations — particularly the delivery of aid — will negatively impact any efforts to conclude a hostage deal.”