The release of Israeli soldier Idan Alexander, who was abducted by Hamas, came after weeks of clandestine diplomacy involving Palestinian-American intermediaries, senior Hamas officials, and backchannel coordination with the United States. According to a report by Lebanon\u2019s Al Mayadeen news outlet, the key turning point was a covert dialogue between Palestinian-American activist Bshara Bahbah and Hamas politburo member Ghazi Hamad.<\/p>\n
The Secret Message from Hamas<\/strong> Bahbah claims it was Steve Witkoff, the Jewish-American businessman close to President Donald Trump, who proposed the idea of releasing Idan Alexander as a gesture of goodwill. \u201cSteve suggested they release Alexander as a sign of good faith. That was around the third week of April, and since then, we’ve been in continuous negotiation,\u201d Bahbah said. \u201cMuch of the effort was focused on Idan\u2019s release as a signal to President Trump\u2014knowing that he would then use his influence to press for a ceasefire and for desperately needed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n Behind the Scenes: Key Players and Quiet Diplomacy<\/strong> Secret Meetings in Washington<\/strong> Stalled Deal and Hamas Demands<\/strong> \u201cQatar and Egypt pushed Hamas to accept the American proposal in exchange for a tacit U.S. pledge to play an active role in ending the war,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Watch: Emotional reunion between Idan Alexander and his family:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u05d9\u05e2\u05dc \u05d1\u05db\u05ea\u05d4, \u05d4\u05d0\u05d7 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d8\u05df \u05e6\u05e2\u05e7: "\u05d0\u05d9\u05da \u05d2\u05d3\u05dc\u05ea!" – \u05db\u05da \u05e0\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d7\u05e8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05dc \u05e2\u05d9\u05d3\u05df (\u05e6\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd: \u05e8\u05d5\u05e2\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d1\u05e8\u05d4\u05dd, \u05dc\u05e2"\u05de) pic.twitter.com\/RdpmR20vHM<\/a><\/p>\n — \u05d3\u05e1\u05e7 \u05e8\u05d2\u05e2 (@deskrega) May 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nIn an interview with Israel\u2019s N12<\/em>, Bahbah detailed how the negotiations unfolded: \u201cSomeone from Hamas contacted me and said they were willing to release all hostages in exchange for a ceasefire,\u201d he said. \u201cThey asked me to pass the message to U.S. officials, which I did. Honestly, if I were in Steve Witkoff\u2019s shoes, I would\u2019ve wondered, \u2018Who is this guy and who does he represent?\u2019 And I understand that reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAccording to Al Mayadeen, Suha Arafat\u2014the widow of former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat\u2014was instrumental in opening the communication channel. She introduced Bahbah to Ghazi Hamad of Hamas, initiating the dialogue. It was also reported that Bahbah received formal authorization from the U.S. government to engage in talks with Hamas, which ultimately led to the breakthrough and Alexander\u2019s release.<\/p>\n
\nA senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen that talks between the U.S. and Hamas began as early as February, when Trump associate Adam Boehler met with Hamas-affiliated intermediaries. The discussions focused on persuading Hamas to release Alexander and on Washington\u2019s potential role in brokering a ceasefire. Boehler\u2019s close friend, Palestinian businessman Bashar al-Masri, coordinated key meetings with Hamas leaders, including Bassem Naim, Osama Hamdan, and Taher al-Nounou. A follow-up session was held with Khalil al-Hayya, also attended by al-Masri.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to N12<\/em> and other sources, Washington initially demanded Alexander\u2019s release in return for a U.S. commitment to work toward ending the war. Hamas, however, insisted on the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. President Trump aimed to finalize the deal before his \u201cState of the Union\u201d address, but Israeli objections and criticism of Boehler\u2019s involvement reportedly derailed the effort. A senior Palestinian official said that Israel refused to cooperate with the early talks, but communications resumed in late April through Bahbah.<\/p>\n\n