CNN March 7, 2025
Hamas says ready to maintain direct talks with U.S. but accuses Trump of double standards

A senior Hamas figure in Gaza has accused US President Donald Trump of “blatant double standards” in his demand for the immediate release of hostages still held in Gaza – but told CNN that Hamas’ direct meetings with US officials “aim to achieve stability in the region.”

Mushir al-Masri was speaking to CNN from Gaza after the White House confirmed it had negotiated directly with Hamas with the aim of securing the release of hostages in Gaza, breaking a long-standing U.S. policy of not talking to groups it deems to be terrorist organizations.

The comments also come with the Gaza ceasefire hanging by a thread, after Israel blocked vital aid into enclave in an attempt to pressure Hamas to reverse its rejection of a revised proposal to extend the truce.

Masri told CNN Thursday that “any meetings held with the American side aim to achieve stability in the region, to end the war on the Gaza Strip, and to stop the aggression against our Palestinian people.”

He said “stability can only be achieved through an agreement with Hamas. I believe that meetings with the American side aim to achieve this goal.”