Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah said Hamas has signaled it is ready to return to negotiations “immediately,” adding that a decision by Israel to halt the war could secure the hostages’ release as soon as “tomorrow.”
In an interview broadcast on Radio A-Nas (an Arabic-language station based in Nazareth), Bahbah said, “I received indications from Hamas that they are prepared to resume negotiations immediately, but there is still no answer from Israel.
The Israeli public is not being told this, so I am speaking directly to them: your children can return as early as tomorrow, if your government decides to stop the war.”
He described himself as playing a key role between the United States, Hamas, and Qatar on ending the Gaza war.
According to journalist Mohammad Majadleh, who reported the remarks, Bahbah also said he urged Hamas leaders to leave the Gaza Strip “to save their people,” but “unfortunately did not receive a positive response.”
Israeli assassination attempt "froze talks"
Bahbah told A-Nas that talks are “frozen for now,” both on a ceasefire and on a hostage deal, because Hamas leaders are in Qatar, “dispersed” following the most recent assassination attempt against them.
“We are working behind the scenes to bring them back to the negotiating table,” he said. “Every day that passes, hundreds of people die in Gaza, and that is unacceptable.”
He said Washington is waiting for a clear signal from Hamas confirming its readiness to re-engage.
“Today I was in contact with Hamas, and our constant message to them is: you must return to negotiations, regardless of Israel’s attempts to assassinate you or harm Qatar,” he said. “My advantage is that I do not represent any state. My only goal is to end the war and free the hostages.”
On the US position, Bahbah said President Donald Trump is serious about ending the war, but is awaiting Hamas’s response.
He noted that “the US administration is convinced that ending the war begins with releasing the hostages.”
Bahbah claimed Hamas agreed to an Israeli proposal last month and is “still waiting for a response from Tel Aviv,” adding, “this is why I am telling Israelis: you have the answer.”
In recent days, Israeli defense officials have assessed that Hamas in Gaza is highly concerned about an Israel Defense Forces push into Gaza City.
Roughly half a million residents have already left the city, and heavy pressure is being applied on Hamas and on Qatari leadership to halt the fighting, reach a hostage-release arrangement, and end the war, potentially involving the expulsion of most members of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade.