Trump Envoy Sends Hamas Ceasefire Deal via Israeli Activist/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new ceasefire and hostage-release proposal to Hamas through Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, bypassing Qatar and Egypt. The plan calls for Hamas to release 48 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and Israel freeing up to 3,000 prisoners. Trump vowed this was Hamas’ “last warning” before Israel’s offensive escalates.
Trump’s Hamas Proposal: Quick Looks
- Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, used Israeli activist Gershon Baskin as a back channel to Hamas.
- Proposal: Hamas frees 48 hostages, Israel frees 2,500–3,000 Palestinian prisoners.
- Ceasefire to hold while negotiations continue over disarmament and Israeli withdrawal.
- Trump warns Hamas: release hostages or face “tough and nasty” consequences.
- Hamas responded with conditional willingness, demanding a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal.
- Israeli officials uneasy about U.S. bypassing Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
- Israel strikes Gaza high-rises while preparing for a major offensive.
- U.N. and aid groups warn of worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
- Trump insists Israel has “accepted his terms,” though Netanyahu has not confirmed publicly.
- Talks remain stalled, with suspicion and mistrust on all sides.
Deep Look: White House Sends Gaza Ceasefire Proposal to Hamas via Israeli Peace Activist
WASHINGTON / DEIR AL-BALAH — The White House is quietly testing new diplomatic back channels in a bid to halt the Gaza war. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, a longtime Trump ally, has delivered a new ceasefire and hostage-release proposal to Hamas through Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The move reflects both the urgency of the conflict and the White House’s willingness to sidestep traditional mediators like Qatar and Egypt, risking further mistrust among all parties.
Inside the Proposal
The U.S. plan, discussed by Trump and Witkoff during a golf outing last Sunday, demands:
- Hamas releases all 48 remaining hostages in Gaza.
- Israel frees 2,500–3,000 Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences.
- A ceasefire would take effect immediately, halting Israel’s new offensive to seize Gaza City.
- Negotiations would follow on Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal from the strip.
A senior Israeli official told reporters that Hamas was warned: if it rejects the proposal, it faces “a very bad alternative” — a large-scale Israeli assault.
Hamas’ Response
Through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah and Baskin, Hamas signaled a cautious openness. The group expressed readiness to negotiate a comprehensive deal, but only if:
- Hostage release occurs simultaneously with a permanent ceasefire.
- Israel commits to a complete withdrawal from Gaza.
- Gaza is administered by an independent Palestinian committee following the war.
In a public statement, Hamas said it welcomed “any move to stop aggression” but demanded an explicit, public Israeli commitment to prevent the deal from collapsing.
Israel and U.S. Dynamics
The use of Baskin — a veteran mediator known for helping free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011 — raised eyebrows in Jerusalem. Israeli officials complained they were not fully briefed and only learned of the U.S. messages indirectly.
Some in Israel worry Hamas views Witkoff’s back channels as unreliable, particularly after past disappointments such as the release of American hostage Edan Alexander, which did not bring added U.S. pressure on Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army has escalated its campaign in Gaza City, flattening high-rises it claims Hamas uses for military operations. Strikes on Friday killed 15 people, including a family of five, deepening humanitarian alarm.
Trump’s Role and Rhetoric
President Trump has taken personal ownership of the initiative. On Truth Social, he declared that Israel had accepted his terms and warned Hamas:
“This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
At the same time, Trump publicly told reporters the U.S. is in “deep negotiations” with Hamas, promising “good things” if hostages are freed — but “tough and nasty” consequences if they are not.
What Comes Next?
Despite tentative signals, no breakthrough is imminent. Israeli officials caution that Hamas’ distrust of U.S. channels, combined with its demands for full withdrawal, makes a deal unlikely without major shifts.
One senior Israeli official summed it up:
“We need to wait a few more days to see where things are heading. At this stage, it doesn’t look like we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.”
As Israel prepares a massive Gaza City offensive and Hamas digs in, the fate of hostages — and the possibility of a ceasefire — hangs in the balance of fragile, improvised diplomacy.
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