In an interview Wednesday with the Saudi channel Al Arabiya, Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah disclosed details of the ongoing efforts to promote a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Bahbah said that during a meeting in the US last Sunday, it was decided that only one final proposal would remain on the table. He said he had already contacted Hamas regarding the plan to release all hostages, but the terrorist organization cast doubt on the viability of the framework.
He added that Israelis also believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not accept any deal without American pressure. Bahbah revealed that he had conveyed Trump's message to Hamas, stressing that the US president wants to end the war in Gaza. In his view, Hamas should have stuck to earlier offers, but its latest response was rational.
According to Bahbah, Trump intends to pressure all sides to bring the conflict to an end, including Netanyahu. He expressed confidence that a ceasefire could be reached within two weeks if the parties show genuine intent, noting that there are now "more positive signs than ever for finding a permanent solution for Gaza."
Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq, based abroad, declared overnight: "We tell US President Trump that Hamas already agreed on August 18 to the mediators' proposal, which was based on Witkoff's plan, and Netanyahu has not responded until now. We expressed readiness for a comprehensive deal, but Netanyahu is the real obstacle to any agreements, he wants endless war."
The Hamas statement sparked sharp responses from ministers and opposition lawmakers. The Prime Minister's Office said: "Unfortunately, this is yet another spin by Hamas that contains nothing new. The war can immediately end under the conditions set by the cabinet: 1. The release of all hostages. 2. The disarmament of Hamas. 3. The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. 4. Israeli security control in the Strip. 5. The establishment of an alternative civilian government that does not indoctrinate for terrorism, does not dispatch terrorism, and does not threaten Israel. Only these conditions will prevent Hamas from rearming and repeating the October 7 massacre again and again, as it has vowed."
