Hostage deal negotiations still possible despite Qatar strike, US-Hamas mediator says
Author:RhondaPublished:September 18, 2025
Following the Doha strike, mediator Bahbah states that Hamas leaders remain alive and open to negotiations, although distrust in the US complicates the efforts.
Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who helped secure the release of former hostage Edan Alexander.(photo credit: Canva, screenshot, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah, who previously facilitated the direct channel between Hamas and the United States, said that it is still possible to bring both Israel and Hamas back to the negotiating table, despite the strike in Qatar.
Bahbah’s comments came in a Wednesday interview with N12.
The mediator blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of progress in reaching a deal. “He is not interested in ending the war and has no interest in the hostages,” he said. “Hamas will not surrender. They are waiting for the IDF to enter Gaza.”
According to Bahbah, the Israeli strike came as a surprise to Hamas’s political leadership. “Hamas was shocked. They did not believe a negotiating team would be attacked. But I believe they want to end the war. This was confirmed to me just 45 minutes ago,” he said. “As far as I know, the entire leadership survived.”
A damaged building, following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders, according to an Israeli official, in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Asked who he believes is responsible for the failure of the talks, Bahbah pointed directly at Netanyahu. “I believe Netanyahu is not interested in ending the war and has no interest in the Israeli hostages.” He said the main obstacle is the “complete distrust between the sides.”
Commenting on the IDF’s military campaign in Gaza, Bahbah said it is complicating mediation efforts. “Hamas will not surrender. They have many fighters and weapons. They are waiting for the IDF’s entry to emerge and fight. The leadership will not change its position based on the number of civilians killed in Gaza. It is time for the adults to act,” he said.
Bahbah calls on Israel, Hamas to return to talks, end war
Bahbah addressed the Israeli public directly. “This war has gone on too long. Too many people have been killed. The humanitarian situation for Gaza’s residents and for the hostages is terrible. Israelis need to stand up and say: ‘Enough.’”
He also issued an appeal to the Hamas leadership. “You cannot allow the daily killing to continue. You bear responsibility. Return to the negotiating table. Let us behave like adults for the sake of the people you claim to be fighting for. You are harming them.”
Asked whether Hamas listens to him, Bahbah replied, “I will keep repeating it until one day they do listen. The fact that they are angry is irrelevant, because we must end this war.”
