Direct talks between the US and Hamas resumed in recent days after several weeks of disconnect. According to American and Arab diplomatic sources, Washington stepped in after Egypt and Qatar failed to produce a formula that would restart negotiations toward ending the war.
The sources said the Americans made it clear to Hamas that they would not stop Israel from advancing into Gaza City, stressing that the only way to halt the fighting would be to reach an agreement for ending the war and returning all the hostages. The message delivered was that a framework for negotiations leading to a comprehensive solution must be established immediately.
US officials also conveyed that a halt to Israel's offensive could come through an initial phase similar to the Witkoff framework, but that it would already include practical steps toward a full settlement. These steps would involve deploying international forces and organizations in areas Israel withdraws from, with those bodies taking on civil and security responsibilities there.
Hamas publicly responded as it had to previous proposals: seemingly accepting the idea of ending the war while attaching its own conditions, including a full Israeli withdrawal, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, transferring control to a "civil committee," and massive deliveries of supplies into the Gaza Strip.
Even now, Hamas refuses to commit to disarming or relinquishing control of Gaza. Encouraged by Iran, it is seeking to apply the "Hezbollah model," maintaining a strong armed group alongside a weakened civilian authority. Despite this position, some American diplomats believe that as Israeli military pressure intensifies and troops move deeper into Gaza City, Hamas will be compelled to accept at least a negotiating framework on the terms for ending the war.
According to the sources, the Americans also sent another warning to Hamas: if hostages are murdered by the terrorist organization, Hamas leadership abroad would face the threat of immediate targeted killings. Washington also demanded updated information on the condition of the hostages as well as the entry of food and medical assistance. Hamas has not responded to these demands.
Against this backdrop, the Americans have criticized the mediators for trying to advance only the partial Witkoff framework. Under military pressure and the looming threat of an Israeli takeover of Gaza City, Hamas has already been forced to accept much of this plan after previously rejecting it. Egypt believed this would be sufficient to bring Israel back to the negotiating table, but Jerusalem decided instead to pursue a plan that would end the war and secure the return of all hostages.
Egypt and Qatar preferred to stick with the Witkoff framework and Hamas' position, lashing out at Israel for refusing to proceed along those lines. Several weeks ago, the US presented another proposal intended to bridge the partial deal with a comprehensive agreement for freeing all hostages and ending the war, but the mediators offered no support in advancing it.
Talks on two parallel tracks
Last week, amid a renewed mutual interest, direct contact was reestablished through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah and through direct talks between Witkoff's team and senior Hamas figure Khalil al-Hayya, who is managing the negotiations for the terrorist organization.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, Bahbah said that recent days had shown positive signs for a permanent deal. He appealed directly to President Donald Trump to intervene, saying: "What will happen on the ground? I hope the US president will be determined and resolute on this issue and bring it to a complete end."
Trump later escalated the warning in a post on Truth, in which he wrote: "Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!"
On Friday evening, in a conversation with reporters at the White House, Trump confirmed that hostage deal negotiations were underway. "We are in deep negotiations with Hamas. I heard that several hostages have died recently, I hope that's not true. I see huge demonstrations in Israel over the hostages, it puts them in a tough position. It's hard to wage war when people want 20 people back."
Trump warned Hamas about the consequences of continuing to hold the hostages: "If they release them all, things will be much better, and if not, the situation will be very difficult, it will be terrible. We are negotiating for living people, and here we know that at least 30 people are dead. The parents want them back so much, as if they were alive. I said we want all 20, we don't want just two."
