Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday reaffirmed the United States’ designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization, amid growing international scrutiny over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Speaking at a press briefing, Rubio emphasized that Hamas has been on the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) since 1997 and continues to pose a significant security threat. “The United States remains firm in its stance. Hamas is a terrorist group that targets civilians and destabilizes the region,” Rubio said.
The reaffirmation comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The militant group, which governs the Gaza Strip, has long been at odds with Israel, leading to periodic escalations of violence.
While the U.S., the European Union, Canada, and several other nations classify Hamas as a terrorist entity, some countries, including Russia, China, and Turkey, do not, instead recognizing it as a political movement.
Rubio stressed that the U.S. will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself and urged Hamas to cease its attacks on Israeli civilians. “There can be no negotiations with a group that refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist and actively seeks its destruction,” he stated.
International reaction to Rubio’s statement has been mixed. Some Arab nations have called for a reassessment of Hamas’s status, arguing that the root cause of the conflict—Palestinian statehood—must be addressed for lasting peace.
The renewed focus on Hamas’s designation follows a surge in violence that has left hundreds dead and heightened concerns over a broader regional conflict. As tensions rise, the U.S. remains engaged in diplomatic talks aimed at de-escalating the situation while maintaining its stance on Hamas’s classification.
