Why did a HAMAS representative praise Trump's position on Gaza?
On March 12, during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin at the White House, Trump's statements regarding his position on the forced relocation of Gaza residents were significant. The US president's remarks were positively received by HAMAS if they indeed indicated a real abandonment of the plan to relocate Gaza residents.
HAMAS spokesman Hazem Qasim stated that they would welcome this decision if the US president expressed a position different from the forced relocation of Gaza residents. According to him, the US's abandonment of such a position could help resolve military and political issues in the Middle East peacefully. Additionally, the HAMAS representative called on the US and other countries to exert pressure on Israel to abandon annexation and engage in dialogue.
Donald Trump's statements about relocating Gaza residents to neighboring countries and placing the Gaza enclave under US control caused significant resonance worldwide. This idea was criticized by many international institutions and countries as it did not take into account the rights of the Palestinian people and the safety of Gazans. HAMAS's response to this statement indicates that abandoning this position could be an important step not only for the interests of the people of Gaza but also for establishing peace in the broader region.
At the same time, the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and HAMAS concluded at the beginning of this month, but no agreement was reached for the next phase. As a result of Israel's blockade on Gaza, the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the sector has been halted, leading to criticism in international circles regarding the rights of the Palestinian people and humanitarian aid.
On March 6, new negotiations to end the war began in Qatar, with the participation of the US special envoy Adam Boyler. His meetings with HAMAS representatives and strategic plans aimed at halting the war were significant steps in the international peace process.
Additionally, negotiations for the reconstruction of Gaza took place on March 12 in the Qatari capital, with the participation of Trump's envoy for the Middle East, Steve Vitkoff. Foreign ministers of Arab states and the Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization also attended the meeting. They discussed plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and exchanged views on practical steps in this process.
HAMAS representatives also participated in negotiations mediated by Egypt, expressing readiness to discuss the next phase of the peace agreement with Israel. It became clear once again that comprehensive efforts must be made to advance the peace process in Gaza and the broader Middle East region through the involvement of ministers, competitions, and international institutions.