Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad has publicly denounced United States mediation efforts in Gaza, describing the experience as "bitter" and accusing Washington of lacking credibility after it withdrew its own ceasefire proposals. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamad revealed that American negotiators frequently changed terms and failed to honor their commitments, ultimately enabling Israel's military operations. He emphasized that Hamas would not accept dictates from US President Donald Trump regarding the treatment of Israeli captives, asserting that the group follows Islamic principles in its handling of prisoners.
Failed Negotiations
Hamad recounted a specific incident where Hamas officials were discussing a US-backed ceasefire proposal in Doha when Israeli missiles struck their location less than an hour later. He suggested American complicity, stating, "Trump gave [Israel] permission to bomb the Hamas delegation". This attack, which involved approximately 12 missiles in under a minute, nearly killed several high ranking Hamas leaders but ultimately failed due to their swift evacuation. Hamad's account underscores the perceived coordination between US and Israeli actions, which he claims has undermined trust in Washington as a neutral mediator.
Islamic Principles and Treatment of Captives
Despite ongoing violence, Hamad reiterated Hamas's commitment to treating prisoners humanely under Islamic teachings. He referenced directives from Al-Qassam Brigades commanders to safeguard captives' lives and ensure proper treatment, contrasting this with Israel's alleged intentional targeting of hostages. This stance aligns with historical Islamic practices of prisoner care, though international observers have questioned its consistent application. Hamad emphasized that Hamas's actions are guided by religious values rather than external pressure, declaring, "Trump doesn’t scare us".
Calls for Arab Unity
Hamad warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ambitions to "change the face of the Middle East" require a unified Arab response. He urged Arab nations to recognize that Israel's actions threaten the entire region, not just Hamas. This call for solidarity comes amid widespread condemnation of Israel's military operations, which have resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths and accusations of genocide by UN experts. Hamad framed the conflict as a broader struggle against occupation and Western hypocrisy, demanding greater regional support for Palestinian resistance.