United States: In a subdued admission to Axios on Monday, White House emissary Steve Witkoff conveyed marked disillusionment over Hamas’ unwillingness to embrace his most recent bid for a ceasefire and hostage exchange framework in Gaza.
Behind the Curtain
Witkoff has maintained direct discourse with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his strategic consigliere Ron Dermer while simultaneously liaising with Hamas through a discreet channel enabled by Palestinian-American entrepreneur Bishara Bahbah.
Stalemate Persists as Pressure Mounts
As diplomatic traction remains sluggish, Israeli Defense Forces press on with their stratagem to relocate Gaza’s two million denizens into a declared “humanitarian zone” while methodically dismantling the bulk of the territory’s urban scape.
From Mar-a-Lago, President Trump vocalized his resolve on Sunday to wrap the Gaza conflict with urgency, echoing sentiments reportedly expressed during his recent swing through the Middle East, as per AXIOS.
Counter Claims & Crossed Wires
Parallel reports from Arab media suggest that Hamas was briefed on a revamped US framework involving a 60-day cessation of hostilities. Allegedly, this includes the staggered release of 10 live captives—five on each bookend of the truce—and tapering of Israeli military posture to March lines.
Hamas characterized this blueprint as entwined with amplified humanitarian aid and assured diplomatic rigor by Israel under US auspices, promising no abrupt military re-engagement as during prior ceasefires. Consequently, Hamas declared tentative assent to what it termed “the US proposal.”
Two Proposals, Diverging Paths
However, this supposed US plan diverges significantly from Witkoff’s own articulated offer. His current outline centers on releasing 10 living and 19 deceased hostages in return for 45 to 60 days of truce and a prisoner swap.
Smoke and Mirrors?
Witkoff refuted claims that Hamas had received any novel proposal from his end, insisting instead that the Israelis were on board with his blueprint for a provisional ceasefire and negotiations toward enduring calm. “The offer remains. Hamas should seize it,” he asserted, as per AXIOS.
Discord in Doha
An insider who was close to the negotiations affirmed that Bahbah had engaged Hamas officials in Doha based on generalized directives from Witkoff. However, the envoy implied that Bahbah may have colored outside the lines, interpreting the mandate with overreach or creative license.
Per the same official, Israel categorically dismissed the version Hamas promoted, perceiving it as riddled with loopholes that could enable the release of merely five hostages, with Hamas reneging thereafter. Further contention arose over phrasing that inferred an automatic transition from temporary to permanent ceasefire—language Israel rebuffed outright.
A Deal Derailed
“The deal that Bahbah crafted with Hamas was wholly repudiated by Israel,” said the official. “Once Witkoff became aware of that reality, he appeared to slam the brakes on the initiative.”
Official Rebuke from Jerusalem
Israel’s executive corridor responded frostily to the so-called US plan Hamas publicized, declaring it untenable for any principled Israeli administration. In a digital missive, Netanyahu hinted updates on the hostage issue may come imminently: “If not today, then tomorrow,” he concluded.