Hamas Leaders Held Secret Meeting with French Lawmakers, Diplomats: Sources

Senior Hamas political bureau leaders recently held a highly confidential meeting with a French delegation comprising current and former diplomats and members of parliament from France's governing and opposition parties. The meeting took place in an unspecified country in the region, according to three Palestinian sources who described the gathering as "extremely secret."

Several governments and mediators involved in Gaza ceasefire efforts, including Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, were informed of the meeting shortly before or after it occurred. Hamas officials confirmed the meeting took place but declined further comment. This reported encounter is significant as it appears to be the first known meeting between European officials and Hamas leaders since the October 7 attacks on Israel.

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While the United States has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization since 1997, France does not formally designate the group as such under its national legal framework, though French authorities prosecute individuals accused of financing it. The European Union, however, has listed Hamas and its military wing on its terrorist sanctions list since 2001, imposing additional sanctions in May.

The reported meeting also occurs against a backdrop of nearly two years of strained relations between Paris and Tel Aviv. Tensions have escalated between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon and its strikes in Syria. Relations soured further after France recognized the State of Palestine, leading Netanyahu to accuse Macron of "fueling antisemitism."

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