Khaled Abu Toameh, a Palestinian political expert and Arab-Israeli journalist, warns the Trump administration against relying on Hamas statements during meetings with American officials. According to him, Hamas presents more moderate positions in English, but in Arabic, it continues to promote its militant agenda and assures its followers that the fight against Israel will not cease.
Trump Administration Must Listen to What Hamas Says to its Arab Audience
Abu Toameh refers to Hamas’s attempts to reach a “long-term ceasefire” agreement, claiming that this is a tactic designed to allow the organization to maintain control and prepare for further attacks. “History shows that Hamas will never lay down its arms, and any attempt to believe in the sincerity of its intentions is a dangerous illusion,” he explained.
He adds, “The Trump administration must listen to what Hamas says to its Arab audience, not the calming words spoken at diplomatic meetings.”
Secret Contacts Between Hamas and the United States
As Abu Toameh’s warnings rise, reports have recently emerged of direct contacts between the United States and Hamas, primarily regarding the release of American hostages held in Gaza. The American website Axios reported that the U.S. is maintaining a direct communication channel with the organization regarding a possible agreement. Additionally, according to sources from the Al-Arabiya channel, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with representatives of Hamas during negotiations in Qatar to explore the possibility of a broader arrangement in the region.
Abu Toameh comments on these reports, saying, “Earlier this month, Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri spoke in Arabic to his supporters and clarified that the organization refuses to disarm and rejects Israel’s demands. We must not fall into Hamas’s trap, it should be judged by its actions and not by its diplomatic statements.”
Who is Khaled Abu Toameh?
Khaled Abu Toameh is a Palestinian-Israeli journalist and researcher specializing in Middle Eastern affairs analysis. He serves as a Palestinian affairs correspondent for the Jerusalem Post and U.S. News & World Report and has covered Palestinian politics and the Arab world for over three decades. Additionally, he has produced news for NBC since 1988.
Abu Toameh was born in Tulkarm to a Palestinian-Israeli family, grew up in Baqa al-Gharbiyye, and studied English literature at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the leading commentators on developments in the Palestinian Authority and the Gaza Strip, providing unique insights into the internal workings of Palestinian organizations.
Currently, Abu Toameh serves as a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) and the Gatestone Institute, continuing to be one of the prominent voices warning about Hamas’s true intentions. “Only through a deep understanding of the messages sent to the Palestinian public can one comprehend the organization’s true intentions and act accordingly,” he concludes.
