The head of Hamas’ political bureau said on Saturday that the group had offered to mediate between the warring sides in Yemen and hoped the initiative would be accepted, Anadolu reports.
In his first televised interview since taking the post in July, Khalil al-Hayya told Qatar-based Al Araby TV that Hamas had already presented its proposal.
“We have offered mediation between the disputing and warring parties in Yemen, and I hope this offer will be accepted,” he said.
The Houthis took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and have fought a Saudi-led coalition for more than a decade. The war was largely on hold after a truce in 2022, but reignited in July when the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and subsequently claimed advances along the coast.
Al-Hayya also said Hamas leaders had met US officials more than four times since last year. He said the talks focused on the Palestinian issue, the Gaza Strip and Palestinian demands.
“We sensed understanding from the Americans,” he said. “We heard understanding and praise in private and in public, but we want real, practical action.”
He called for implementation of the Gaza roadmap and accused Israel of obstructing Arab and Muslim efforts to provide relief to Gaza.
On Palestinian reconciliation, al-Hayya said Hamas was ready to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to establish the foundations for a national program and political unity. He said elections scheduled for November should help restore the geographic and political unity of Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
If the elections are postponed, he said, the existing political alliance would remain open to other factions in an effort to build a broader national framework.
Al-Hayya warned that the Palestinian cause was being sidelined amid wars and crises in the region and accused Israel of wasting opportunities for a settlement. He said regional stability would remain out of reach without Palestinians securing their rights and establishing a state, and pledged to oppose any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land.
