Hamas' Hamad-US-Palest. Bahbah talks led to Alexander's release: Excl.
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An exclusive source has confirmed to Al Mayadeen that there exists an active and constant communication channel between Hamas and the US administration, led by individuals of Palestinian origin.
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Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli captive soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025 (AP)
There is an active and constant communication channel between Hamas and the US administration, a source revealed to Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.
The source clarified that Bashar Bahbah, an American-Palestinian originally from occupied al-Quds, serves as the primary point of contact in this channel.
Additionally, the source noted that Suha Arafat, the widow of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, played a pivotal role in establishing this line of communication by facilitating contact between Bahbah and Hamas political bureau member Ghazi Hamad approximately two months ago.
According to the source, Bahbah reportedly received official approval from the US administration to initiate talks with Hamas, with these discussions ultimately leading to the release of dual Israeli-American detainee Edan Alexander.
Inside direct Hamas-US talks over prisoner deal and Gaza ceasefire
Later, an exclusive source revealed to Al Mayadeen more details about the Hamas-US engagement.
The talks began in February between US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler and figures close to Hamas, focusing on understanding Hamas' decision-making process and exploring the possibility of securing the release of American-Israeli captive Edan Alexander, according to the source.
Central to this effort was Boehler’s close friend, Palestinian businessman Bashar al-Masri, and a meeting was arranged between Boehler and senior Hamas figures, including Basem Naim, Osama Hamdan, and Taher al-Nounou. Then, Boehler met with Khalil al-Hayya in the presence of al-Masri.
According to the source, Washington offered to pressure "Israel" to end its war on Gaza in exchange for Alexander's release, but Hamas demanded the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli obstruction
The source added that US President Donald Trump was eager to finalize the deal before his State of the Union address, but "Israel's" interference and its massive attack on Boehler complicated and foiled the deal.
Despite "Israel's" refusal to cooperate with the initiative’s outcomes, communication resumed in late April, with Bahbah joining the talks.
The source added that Qatar and Egypt pushed Hamas to consider the American proposal in exchange for an implicit pledge from Washington to play an efficient role in ending the war on Gaza.
Calling Alexander's release a goodwill gesture toward the US and the product of Qatari-Egyptian mediation to stop Gaza's brutal war, Trump stated on Truth Social that he hoped these developments might provide the final steps needed to end the war.
Netanyahu's bombs vs. Hamas' diplomacy
Hamas rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that military pressure played a role in freeing US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander and attributed it instead to "serious communications".
“The return of Edan Alexander is the result of serious communications with the US administration and the efforts of mediators, not a consequence of Israeli aggression or the illusion of military pressure,” the Palestinian Resistance group announced in a statement.
The Palestinian Resistance group asserted that Netanyahu is misleading the Israelis and has failed to free the Israeli captives through aggression, noting that the return of captive Edan Alexander proves that negotiations and a prisoner exchange deal are the only way for the return of the Israeli captives and to end the war.
On May 12, the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over Israeli soldier and American captive Edan Alexander to the International Committee of the Red Cross in northern Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza.
The release took place as US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrived at the Re'im military base, where Alexander was said to be transferred, while Israeli media reported that Alexander is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Wednesday for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The release of Alexander came after direct negotiations between the United States and Hamas, with mediation by Qatar and Egypt, as part of efforts to restart stalled ceasefire talks and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
