Trump Team Proposes Hostage Release Deal to Hamas in Exchange for “Call for Calm”
Washington offers a new plan via Qatar to free Edan Alexander and restart Gaza ceasefire talks—pending a statement from Trump.
Watan-A U.S. official and an Israeli official said that the United States has presented a new proposal to Hamas through Qatari mediators in an effort to secure the release of American hostage Edan Alexander and to break the deadlock in ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.
Reportedly, it is unclear whether Hamas will accept the proposal, which is contingent on Alexander’s release in exchange for a statement from former U.S. President Donald Trump calling for calm in Gaza and the resumption of negotiations toward a broader ceasefire agreement.
A U.S. official stated, “No agreement has been reached yet.”
American and Israeli officials explained that negotiations over hostage releases and a ceasefire have stalled in recent days after Israel resumed its war on Gaza.
New U.S. Proposal Tied to Hostage Release and Temporary Gaza Truce
Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military campaign in Gaza, including ground incursions in several areas of the strip.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened that Israel would occupy more parts of Gaza if Hamas continued to refuse to release the hostages.
American and Israeli officials said the U.S. has exerted significant pressure on both Egypt and Qatar in recent days to push Hamas to agree to release some of the hostages, which would reinstate a ceasefire and provide more time for negotiations.
A few days ago, Egyptian officials met with Hamas representatives in Cairo to discuss a new proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock in talks. An Israeli official stated that the proposal is very similar to one presented by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, two weeks ago, which Hamas rejected.
Egypt reportedly threatened to deport Hamas prisoners who had been released by Israel under the Gaza ceasefire agreement and have been residing in Cairo since, if the movement does not agree to release more hostages.
American and Israeli officials said Hamas leaders outside Gaza are willing to accept the Egyptian proposal, but the group’s military leader inside Gaza, Mohammed Deif (referred to here as Mohammed al-Sinwar), rejected it.
U.S.-Qatari Hostage Deal Still Unclear Amid Talks with Hamas
Witkoff held talks with the Qatari Prime Minister on Wednesday in an effort to develop another version of the proposal. The two sides reached an idea involving the release of Edan Alexander in return for a positive statement from Trump that would lead to a temporary ceasefire for several days and the immediate resumption of broader negotiations, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.
Witkoff also briefed Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Wednesday about the new proposal developed with the Qataris.
Israeli and U.S. officials said Qatari and Egyptian officials met with Hamas representatives in Doha on Thursday to discuss the various proposals.
An Israeli official explained that the new U.S.-Qatari proposal “is just a vague and not fully developed idea.”
He said the Qataris presented the proposal to Hamas as a goodwill gesture toward the United States, suggesting it could go a long way with Trump and allow him to put pressure on Israel to reach a broader agreement.
However, it remains unclear whether Hamas will agree to release Alexander solely in exchange for a statement from Trump, without securing a ceasefire commitment or the return of additional prisoners.
