Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah, who previously facilitated the direct channel between Hamas and the United States, said that it is still possible to bring both Israel and Hamas back to the negotiating table, despite the strike in Qatar.
Bahbah's comments came in a Wednesday interview with N12.
The mediator blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of progress in reaching a deal. “He is not interested in ending the war and has no interest in the hostages,” he said. “Hamas will not surrender. They are waiting for the IDF to enter Gaza.”
Bahbah said he spoke with senior Hamas officials about 45 minutes before the interview and conveyed the message he received. “They no longer trust the United States. The guarantees Washington is offering mean nothing to them. Trust has been completely broken,” he said. However, he emphasized that “they did not say they are not open to negotiations.”
According to Bahbah, the Israeli strike came as a surprise to Hamas’s political leadership. “Hamas was shocked. They did not believe a negotiating team would be attacked. But I believe they want to end the war. This was confirmed to me just 45 minutes ago,” he said. “As far as I know, the entire leadership survived.”
Asked who he believes is responsible for the failure of the talks, Bahbah pointed directly at Netanyahu. “I believe Netanyahu is not interested in ending the war and has no interest in the Israeli hostages.” He said the main obstacle is the “complete distrust between the sides.”
Commenting on the IDF’s military campaign in Gaza, Bahbah said it is complicating mediation efforts. “Hamas will not surrender. They have many fighters and weapons. They are waiting for the IDF’s entry to emerge and fight. The leadership will not change its position based on the number of civilians killed in Gaza. It is time for the adults to act,” he said.
Bahbah calls on Israel, Hamas to return to talks, end war
Bahbah addressed the Israeli public directly. “This war has gone on too long. Too many people have been killed. The humanitarian situation for Gaza’s residents and for the hostages is terrible. Israelis need to stand up and say: ‘Enough.’”
He also issued an appeal to the Hamas leadership. “You cannot allow the daily killing to continue. You bear responsibility. Return to the negotiating table. Let us behave like adults for the sake of the people you claim to be fighting for. You are harming them."
Asked whether Hamas listens to him, Bahbah replied, “I will keep repeating it until one day they do listen. The fact that they are angry is irrelevant, because we must end this war.”