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State Department reiterates condition that Hamas must be removed as part of any Gaza settlement; says aid must move in a safe framework
Summary
Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the U.S. position remains that Hamas cannot be allowed to remain a factor in Gaza and that humanitarian assistance must be delivered safely; she commented on an Egyptian plan and said the administration welcomes ideas but that existing U.S. conditions remain unchanged.
Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told reporters the administration's position on Gaza remains unchanged: the United States will not support arrangements that leave Hamas as an operational factor in the territory.
"As long as Hamas exists in in that area with a gun, without a gun, as long as they are a factor in Gaza and exist, there is no way forward," Bruce said. She described Hamas as a group that must not remain in place for a settlement to succeed.
On humanitarian assistance, Bruce said aid delivery must occur "in a safe framework" and that unsafe shipments would be stopped. She rejected describing pauses in deliveries as an attempt to withhold aid for political leverage, saying the safety of civilians and aid workers governs the department's approach.
Reporters asked about an Egyptian plan that would have Gazans remain and rebuild with Arab funding and Palestinian leadership. Bruce said the plan, as presented, "does not meet the expectations" the administration has for resolving the conflict, while welcoming regional engagement and continued diplomatic conversations.
Bruce also addressed reports of recent diplomatic contacts with Hamas representatives, saying conversations conveying the United States position are not the same as negotiations and have not changed U.S. policy. "If you have a conversation with someone it's sir it's not a negotiation ... it is the conveyance of the American position in a different way. Nothing was different, nothing was conveyed differently, there was no change of position," she said.
Why it matters: The commentariat and several reporters pressed the State Department on whether holding or pausing aid is acceptable as leverage. Bruce emphasized that safety and the release of hostages are central U.S. demands and that any framework must ensure aid can be delivered without endangering recipients or personnel. She reiterated the administration's prioritization of the release of hostages and of measures to prevent Hamas from retaining influence in Gaza.
Bruce also said regional diplomacy, including proposals from Egypt, is part of ongoing efforts but that the U.S. standards for any arrangement will be firm. She declined to provide operational details about diplomatic meetings or potential Saudi Arabia participation in talks, saying she could not comment on specific diplomatic arrangements.
Speakers during this portion of the briefing included reporters from AFP, Al Arabiya and Al Quds who followed up on regional proposals and the practicalities of implementing any ceasefire or aid corridor.
