"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."
President Trump said the U.S. is in deep negotiations with Hamas over a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal and warned that immediate hostage release would bring favorable outcomes while refusal would prompt a harsh response. The Israeli military began flattening high-rise buildings in Gaza City, calling them Hamas military sites, and launched a new offensive phase aimed at rooting out Hamas. Sam Witkoff relayed Trump's instruction to press for a comprehensive deal, using intermediaries Bishara Bahbah and Gershon Baskin, and Hamas conditioned any release on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.
Read at Axios
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