Hamas Official Reveals US Meetings, Invites Abbas to Talks

Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political bureau, has expressed readiness to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, signaling a potential step towards internal Palestinian reconciliation. Al-Hayya made these remarks during a special interview with Al-Araby TV on Saturday, where he also disclosed holding several meetings with American officials.

Al-Hayya emphasized that a ceasefire in Gaza must precede any steps toward national unity. He discussed the ongoing developments regarding a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including disputes over its implementation and the transition to subsequent phases. The Hamas official also touched upon Palestinian elections, internal Palestinian relations, and communications between Hamas leadership and the U.S., mentioning the role of Nikolay Mladenov, the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process.

Regarding the future of the Gaza ceasefire, al-Hayya stated that Hamas's position is contingent on solidifying the cessation of hostilities before addressing other issues. He reiterated that ending the war and its consequences is the current priority, before engaging in broader internal political steps. These statements come amid continuous regional and international efforts to finalize the ceasefire agreement and plan for the next phase in Gaza, with disagreements persisting over certain clauses.

In the context of Palestinian internal affairs, al-Hayya's invitation to Abbas suggests a willingness to discuss outstanding issues between Palestinian factions. This aligns with previous calls by al-Hayya for a national dialogue and the reconstruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on democratic and consensus-based foundations. He also addressed the prospect of Palestinian elections and the nature of future political participation and electoral arrangements.

Al-Hayya further revealed that Hamas leadership has engaged in multiple meetings with U.S. officials, offering some details about these communications. He also mentioned Hamas's offer to mediate in the conflict in Yemen. Following his election as head of Hamas's political bureau, al-Hayya had previously called for national dialogue and the rebuilding of the PLO.