The United States has put forward a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to secure the release of American hostage Edan Alexander and revive stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

The deal reportedly hinges on Hamas releasing Alexander in exchange for a public statement by President Donald Trump calling for calm in Gaza and resuming negotiations for a broader ceasefire. However, it remains uncertain whether Hamas will accept these terms.

After Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza, talks over a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal hit an impasse. Israeli forces expanded their operations, launching ground incursions across multiple areas of the enclave. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will further occupy parts of Gaza if Hamas continues to refuse to release hostages.

In response, the U.S. has ramped up diplomatic pressure on Egypt and Qatar, urging them to push Hamas toward a partial hostage release that could restore the ceasefire and allow negotiations to resume.

Egyptian officials recently met with Hamas representatives in Cairo, presenting a new proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock. This proposal was reportedly similar to one offered by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, two weeks ago—a proposal that Hamas previously rejected.

To exert additional leverage, Egyptian authorities threatened to deport Hamas prisoners who had been released by Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement and are currently residing in Cairo.

While Hamas leaders outside of Gaza showed willingness to consider the Egyptian plan, its military commander inside Gaza, Mohammed Sinwar, rejected it outright, Israeli and U.S. officials said.

On Wednesday, Witkoff held discussions with Qatar’s prime minister in a fresh attempt to develop an alternative framework. The resulting proposal calls for Hamas to release Alexander in exchange for a favorable statement from Trump. This statement would trigger a temporary ceasefire lasting a few days and facilitate an immediate resumption of broader negotiations.

Later that day, Witkoff briefed Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on the details of the new plan.

On Thursday, Qatari and Egyptian officials met with Hamas representatives in Doha to discuss the various proposals on the table.

An Israeli official described the U.S.-Qatari proposal as “more of an idea” that is still in early development and not yet a structured deal. The official added that Qatar framed the proposal to Hamas as a diplomatic overture to the U.S., arguing that it could create goodwill with Trump and potentially lead to greater American pressure on Israel to negotiate a broader ceasefire.

However, it remains unclear whether Hamas would agree to release Alexander solely in exchange for a statement from Trump, particularly without guarantees of a formal ceasefire or a prisoner exchange.

The coming days will reveal whether Hamas is willing to engage with the new proposal or whether the stalemate in Gaza will persist as military operations escalate.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)