Gaza Truce: Washington Delivers Principles of a Comprehensive Deal to Hamas via Israeli Mediator
As U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Weitkoff intensified his indirect contacts with Hamas, Washington conveyed to the movement the principles of a comprehensive deal aimed at ending the Gaza war.
On Saturday, a Hamas delegation concluded a visit to Cairo, described in a statement by the group as part of “efforts to end the genocidal war against the Gaza Strip and to halt the escalation of Israeli aggression in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.”
The delegation, led by Zahir Jabarin and including Hossam Badran, Kamal Abu Aoun, Ghazi Hamad, and Mahmoud Mardawi, met with Palestinian factions, civil society institutions, public figures, and business leaders in Cairo. Their goal was to “strengthen consultation, develop joint action, and outline a national roadmap, while emphasizing that unity in position and on the ground is the guarantee for ending the war and reinforcing resilience.”
According to the statement, “Palestinian factions agreed to continue seeking ways to end the war, support the resilience of Gaza’s residents, confront what is happening in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and enhance joint action to manage the struggle and define a national roadmap for the post-war phase.”
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the United States had passed along to Hamas the principles of a comprehensive agreement proposal, aiming to end the Gaza conflict and secure the release of all hostages.
Sources noted that this was not a finalized or official formula, but general principles designed to keep negotiations alive. The principles were reportedly delivered by Gershon Baskin, an Israeli who had previously acted as a mediator with Hamas.
This move comes amid reports that Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are working this week on a new proposal, which would include halting the fighting in Gaza, releasing all hostages, and establishing an alternative governing authority to Hamas in the enclave.
A source close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Israel is ready to end its occupation of Gaza City if it is presented with a genuine deal.”
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, head of the Israeli negotiating team and a close ally of Netanyahu, is expected to travel to the United States this week for talks with senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration.
President Trump stated that “the United States is in deep negotiations with Hamas,” adding: “This is Israel’s choice. If we fail to bring everyone out now, it will be very bad. There are 32 dead, and 20 hostages still alive, though I heard some of them have recently passed away.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, speaking at the opening of his “Yesh Atid” faction meeting, said: “Just last week, I was again contacted by the highest levels of the mediating countries, and they told me: we don’t understand, we still haven’t received any answer. Israel simply does not respond.”
He added: “That is the situation right now. The government is not even trying to bring them back. It is not even attempting to conduct negotiations and reach a deal. There is a hostage deal on the table, and it can be done. The Israeli negotiating team says this, the chief of staff says this. A partial deal is possible, a comprehensive deal is possible. Hamas has told the mediators it is ready for either option. What is impossible is not to try.”
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the approval it had announced with other Palestinian factions on August 18 of the mediators’ proposal for a ceasefire. The movement affirmed its “openness to any ideas or proposals that achieve a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, unconditional entry of aid, and a genuine prisoner exchange through serious negotiations mediated by third parties.”
The Hamas delegation’s visit to Cairo followed discussions between Egypt’s foreign minister and U.S. envoy Steve Weitkoff.
