In a potential breakthrough moment, a Palestinian-American mediator says the latest—and possibly final—U.S. blueprint demands both the complete release of hostages and cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Israel, however, remains deeply skeptical and is proceeding with its Gaza City conquest plan. Trump is expected to pressure Bibi as well.

The United States has advanced what is being described as a “final proposal” to secure the release of hostages and bring the Gaza war to an end. Palestinian-American academic Bishara Bahbah, who has acted as a go-between for Hamas and Washington, claimed that the deal presented in a six-hour meeting in the U.S. capital amounts to one simple trade-off: all hostages for an end to the fighting.

Bahbah told Al Arabiya: “There was a meeting in Washington that… lasted six hours, and it was decided that there would be one final proposal on the table: the release of all the [hostages] and an end to the war.”

He said that Hamas was initially uncertain about the authenticity of the proposal. But after President Donald Trump published his demand online—“Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!”—Hamas leaders concluded that Washington was serious. Bahbah claims they quickly indicated acceptance.

Hamas Response and Israel’s Skepticism

Hamas released its own statement declaring readiness for “a comprehensive deal.” The group said it would release all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and suggested establishing “an independent national administration of technocrats” to govern Gaza after the war.

Israeli leaders immediately dismissed the announcement. Netanyahu’s office labeled it “more spin by Hamas, containing nothing new.” Defense Minister Israel Katz was even sharper, warning that Gaza City could “become like Rafah and Beit Hanoun” unless Hamas surrendered and disarmed.

Israeli officials note that Hamas has often signaled openness to deals in the past while continuing to rearm, regroup, and launch attacks. They argue that statements of flexibility are part of a propaganda war designed to weaken international support for Israel’s campaign.

The Five Conditions: Israel’s Red Lines

Jerusalem has repeatedly stated that the war will only end once five conditions are met:

1. The release of all hostages.
2. The disarmament of Hamas.
3. The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
4. Continued Israeli security control of Gaza.
5. The creation of a civilian administration that rejects terror and incitement.

Without these guarantees, Israeli officials insist that any pause or ceasefire would be short-lived and that Hamas would soon return to threatening Israeli civilians. The government stresses that only approval of these cabinet conditions will allow the war to end.

Military Reality on the Ground: 60,000 Reservists Called Up

While Washington and Hamas speak of deals, Israel’s military reality points in a different direction. The Israel Defense Forces are moving at full speed ahead with their offensive into Gaza City, seeking to uproot Hamas’s command structure and eliminate its remaining battalions.

In recent weeks, the IDF has pushed deeper into the city, targeting tunnels, weapons stockpiles, and command centers. Officials stress that only by destroying Hamas’s military capabilities can Israel prevent another October 7-style massacre.

Defense sources indicate that the Gaza City campaign is central to Israel’s strategy. They note that even if a deal is reached, the army will not halt operations until it is certain that Hamas can no longer govern or fight as an organized force.

Pressure from Abroad and at Home

Bahbah insists that Trump is serious about ending the war quickly, saying, “The war could be ended in two weeks” if both sides engage. He argues that Trump is applying maximum pressure on Netanyahu to accept the American plan.

That pressure is echoed by hundreds of former Israeli security officials—including ex-Mossad chiefs and senior generals—who signed a public appeal urging the government to prioritize the hostages’ release. Opposition leader Yair Lapid added his voice, saying, “You can’t not even try to return our hostages home.”

Yet Netanyahu and his ministers remain defiant. They argue that the war’s strategic goals cannot be sacrificed to short-term gestures. For them, the hostages’ freedom is non-negotiable, but so too is the elimination of Hamas’s capacity to rule and rearm.

Families of the Hostages Mobilize

The families of the hostages are caught between desperation and political realities. On September 3, thousands rallied in Jerusalem to demand their loved ones’ release. Many fear a deal will leave behind the bodies of slain hostages in Gaza, depriving families of closure.

One mother told reporters: “We are living in hell every day. We don’t know if our sons and daughters are alive, and we can’t accept a government that refuses to even try.”

Weekly protests have now become a fixture, underscoring the deep divide between a public desperate for resolution and a leadership determined to achieve total victory.

Conclusion: A Deal or Victory at the Crossroads

Bahbah’s disclosures may sound like a breakthrough, but skepticism runs deep in Jerusalem. Israeli officials argue that Hamas’s words are worthless without action, and the IDF continues its advance into Gaza City. For Netanyahu’s cabinet, only a deal that satisfies all five conditions—including the destruction of Hamas as a military and political force—can end the war.

Trump’s pressure and Hamas’s acceptance may create headlines, but the reality remains that Israel is still fighting, determined to ensure that Hamas never again poses a threat. Whether the U.S. “final proposal” can overcome that determination is doubtful. For now, the war continues, with Gaza City under siege and Israel unwilling to compromise its red lines.