By Gill Bikram Singh 
A senior Hamas official, Mushir al-Masri, has accused former US President Donald Trump of “blatant double standards” regarding the release of hostages in Gaza. His remarks followed confirmation from the White House that it is engaging in direct negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of hostages—marking a significant shift in US policy.
According to al-Masri, the talks aim to establish stability in the region. However, the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, with Israel blocking essential aid to pressure Hamas into extending the truce. Since the October 7 terror attack, Israel has refused to hold direct talks with Hamas and remains committed to eliminating the group.
Al-Masri stated that Hamas is willing to negotiate the release of remaining hostages in exchange for advancing to the second phase of the ceasefire—potentially leading to a lasting end to the conflict. Currently, it is believed that only one American hostage, Edan Alexander, is alive in Gaza, alongside four deceased Americans and at least 12 dual US-Israeli citizens.
He criticized Trump for prioritizing the release of Israeli hostages while neglecting the nearly 10,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. Al-Masri accused the US administration of siding with Israel, arguing that it is acting as a participant in the conflict rather than a neutral mediator.
US Threatens Action, Hamas Pushes Back
Despite the ongoing talks, Trump has warned Hamas to release all hostages immediately or face consequences. The US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has also suggested that the US may take military action in Gaza if Hamas does not comply with American demands.
Al-Masri called on the Trump administration to remain neutral and avoid repeating what he described as the Biden administration’s pro-Israel stance. He insisted that threats and coercion would not work and condemned any efforts to forcibly displace Gaza’s population.
Controversial Gaza Development Plan
Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza and transform it into a Middle Eastern “riviera” has faced widespread criticism. The plan, which would involve displacing approximately 2 million Palestinians, has been denounced as ethnic cleansing by critics. In contrast, the Arab League has suggested forming an interim committee to govern Gaza and prepare for the return of the Palestinian Authority.
The situation remains tense and complicated, with multiple parties involved and global attention focused on the region. The outcome of these talks and policy decisions could have far-reaching consequences for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and overall regional stability.