Hamas Leaders Reported to Meet French Delegation for Strategic Discussions

Senior leaders of Hamas’ political bureau reportedly held a highly confidential meeting with a French delegation, according to a Monday report from the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

The report indicates that the meeting took place “recently” in an unspecified country in the Middle East.

Two Palestinian sources spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, one from Palestinian civil society elements who maintain working relations with France and other European countries, and the other from a Palestinian organization closely affiliated with Hamas. They described the meeting as “top secret,” noting that some Palestinian factions were only informed shortly before or after it was held.

This marks the first reported meeting of Hamas leaders with European officials since the events of October 7.

According to the report, the French delegation included current and former diplomats, as well as members of parliament from the ruling coalition and opposition parties.

One source from Palestinian civil society said the talks were largely focused on Palestinian internal affairs, improving national reconciliation, and advancing a political process aimed at ending the conflict with Israel.

The source also told Asharq Al-Awsat that discussions touched on supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state within the “1967 borders,” referring to the pre-Six-Day War armistice lines.

Since October 7, France has been a leading advocate for a two-state solution that would allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.

The reported meeting comes a few weeks after the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) announced in Paris that it had opened a preliminary investigation against Israeli actions.

The probe followed allegations by Global Sumud flotilla activists of “torture and war crimes” against them.

The investigation was initiated following a formal referral submitted to the prosecutor’s office by French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot, prompted by a video published by National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir showing the activists being brought to Ashdod Port.

According to an AFP report cited by French media, the preliminary investigation will be conducted by the Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH).

In September 2025, France recognized a Palestinian state at a world summit in New York, a move that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was “fueling antisemitism.”

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