Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, stated on Thursday that "there is no point in discussing negotiations" while the Gaza Strip is under bombardment. He said that the minimum requirement for creating a "constructive and positive negotiating environment" is for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be compelled to open the border crossings and allow the entry of humanitarian supplies.
According to Naim, "This is something the US administration under Trump can achieve, and it was a key part of the understandings that led to the release of Edan Alexander, along with other components. Access to food, water and medicine is a basic human right and not subject to negotiation."
The member of the political bureau of the terrorist organization added that Hamas has conveyed in its contacts with various parties that it is willing to cooperate with anyone, including the US administration, in order to end the war and launch a political process to resolve the conflict that would result in an independent Palestinian state. "President Trump can achieve this if he chooses to. Gaza belongs to the Palestinians alone. It is not a piece of real estate for sale on the open market," Naim said. At the same time, he reiterated that Hamas remains committed to the path of terrorism, or as he put it, "the resistance."
He further claimed that for years Hamas has emphasized its willingness to relinquish control of the government and transfer the administration of Gaza to any agreed-upon Palestinian body - even before the war ends. Naim stressed again that with the Gaza Strip under attack, there is nothing to talk about, and the bare minimum is the delivery of humanitarian aid.
