White House envoy sends new proposal to Hamas through Israeli peace activist

White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new proposal last week to Hamas for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal through an Israeli peace activist, two sources with direct knowledge told Axios. Why it matters: The new U.S. proposal for a comprehensive deal includes the release of all remaining hostages in return for the end of the war in Gaza. The proposal aims to find a diplomatic solution ahead of the massive offensive Israel is planning to launch to occupy Gaza City. Driving the news: On Friday, President Trump said the U.S. is "in deep negotiations with Hamas" on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. He stressed the U.S. message to Hamas is: "If you immediately release the hostages, good things are going to happen, but if you don't — it is going to be tough and nasty for you." Trump comments came as the Israeli military began flattening high-rise buildings in Gaza City that it claims are used by Hamas for military purposes. It marked the first major phase in Israel's new offensive to occupy Gaza City, which the government says is aimed at rooting out Hamas. The operation — backed by Trump — is expected to escalate in the coming days.Behind the scenes: Last Sunday, Witkoff played golf with Trump and discussed the situation around the Gaza war. Two sources with knowledge of the meeting said Trump instructed Witkoff to give a renewed push to reach a deal to end the war and release all remaining hostages. Witkoff then asked Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who has been a back channel to Hamas in recent months, to tell the group that if they release all the hostages, Trump will make sure the war ends. Bahbah delivered the message to Hamas and came back to Witkoff later in the week with a message from Hamas expressing willingness to go for a comprehensive deal. Hamas stressed in the message that the release of hostages must take place simultaneously with a declaration of a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a source with knowledge said. In addition to Bahbah, Witkoff also established a new back channel to Hamas through Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin. Two sources said Witkoff asked Baskin to convey to Hamas general principles for a comprehensive ceasefire deal. Baskin declined to comment. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.Flashback: Baskin, 69, was born in New York City and moved to Israel in 1978, where he worked for a civil society organization focused on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has been in contact for many years with Hamas official Ghazi Hamad. The Israeli intelligence services have used Baskin as a back channel to Hamas.Baskin helped in the mediation efforts that led to the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who Hamas held from 2006 to 2011.State of play: Israeli officials briefed on the Witkoff-Baskin back channel to Hamas said it is unclear whether it will lead to a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations."The problem is that Hamas is very suspicious about Witkoff's back channels that bypass the Egyptians and Qataris. Hamas doesn't see these back channels as reliable," an Israeli official said. Israeli officials say the main reason for Hamas' suspicions is that they felt cheated when the U.S. didn't ramp up pressure on Israel to end the war after Hamas released American hostage Edan Alexander.

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