CIA admits key stand of Hamas in Palestinian issue

Former CIA official says that alternative means are sometimes needed to achieve conflict resolution when politics stand in the way in wake of reports that the US Central Intelligence Agency tried to contact the Palestinian-based Islamic group Hamas in 2012.

Paul Pillar told Sputnik that when political constraints make it difficult to talk openly with such an organization, a security or intelligence service that can operate in secret sometimes offers an alternative means of doing so.

On Monday, the news outlet Al Jazeera announced it had obtained hundreds of leaked documents from several intelligence agencies, including a cable that indicated the CIA tried to contact Hamas in 2012.

However, the US Department of State denied that the United States had attempted to lead covert discussion with members of Hamas.

“Whether we like it or not, Hamas has been the governing authority for several years in the Gaza Strip and a major political player on matters concerning the Palestinians,” Pillar said.

Pilliar added that it would be impossible “not only to make substantial progress in resolving the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also to ameliorate the most destructive aspects of that conflict without somehow talking with Hamas.”