Trump pitches new hostage deal to Hamas – report

New draft for hostage deal offered to Hamas proposes end to Gaza war and establishment of new administrative body for the Gaza Strip in exchange for immediate return of all remaining hostages.

By World Israel News Staff

The Trump administration has pitched a new draft of a hostage deal to Hamas leaders, Israeli media outlets reported over the weekend, as Israeli forces move deeper into Gaza City.

On Saturday, Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, reported that the United States has presented a new outline for a hostage deal to the Hamas terror organization, conveying the plan via an Israeli negotiator.

The new proposal calls for an immediate end to the war in Gaza in exchange for the return of all remaining hostages held in the coastal enclave, along with the release of hundreds of jailed Arab terrorists.

Unlike previous drafts, which centered around temporary ceasefires and the return of roughly half of the 20 living hostages and some number of slain captives, the new deal reflects shifts in the American and Israeli positions regarding a deal with Hamas after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will now only accept a comprehensive deal.

On Friday, President Donald Trump appeared to echo Netanyahu’s demand for a comprehensive hostage release, telling reporters that American envoys have demanded Hamas release all of the remaining captives immediately, warning that the consequences will be “nasty” if Hamas refuses.

“We’re in very deep negotiations with Hamas,” Trump said. “We said, ‘let them all out, right now. Let them all out, and much better things will happen’.”

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the new proposal was transferred to Hamas via US-born, left-wing Israeli activist Gershon Baskin, who helped broker the 2011 hostage deal which saw IDF soldier Gilad Shalit returned in exchange for the release of over 1,000 terrorists, including future Hamas commander and October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar.

Hamas did not respond directly to the new American proposal but said in a statement Saturday evening that it was open to “any ideas or proposals that achieve a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the sector, unrestricted entry of aid, and a real prisoner exchange through serious negotiations via the mediators.”