Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s apparent retreat from his proposal to permanently displace Palestinians from Gaza. Trump's statement on Wednesday, “Nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza,” signaled a shift from his previous stance, drawing a positive response from Hamas.
“If Trump’s statement reflects a real change, we welcome it,” Qassem said, urging the U.S. to pressure Israel into honoring ceasefire agreements.
Trump had previously suggested a U.S. takeover of Gaza following Israel’s 17-month-long military assault, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths.
Meanwhile, Hamas political adviser Taher Al-Nono confirmed direct talks between Hamas and the U.S. in Qatar. Discussions with U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler focused on securing the release of an American-Israeli captive and implementing a phased ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire negotiations continue, with Hamas engaging Egyptian mediators and Israel sending representatives to Doha. The talks signal a departure from Washington’s long-standing policy of avoiding direct engagement with Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
The Israel-Gaza war erupted after Hamas launched a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Gaza health officials report that the ongoing conflict has killed over 48,000 Palestinians.