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Palestinian-American academic Bishara Bahbah is playing a key role in Donald Trump's unofficial backchannel with Hamas, aiming to broker a Gaza ceasefire amid growing confusion, stalled negotiations, and intensifying Israeli strikes.
UPDATED: May 28, 2025 04:32 IST
Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American academic turned informal diplomat, is emerging as a central, if controversial, figure in Donald Trump’s unofficial Middle East strategy as the president seeks a breakthrough in Gaza.
Reportedly instrumental in the release of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas custody, Bahbah has been operating behind the scenes to broker a broader ceasefire deal involving more hostage releases and a temporary halt to hostilities in Gaza. His role, first reported by the Times of Israel, reflects Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy — eschewing traditional statecraft for personal envoys and political outsiders.
Scholar Turned Political Operator
Born in East Jerusalem in 1958 and schooled at Harvard, Bahbah's journey to diplomacy has not been conventional. He was once associate director at Harvard's Middle East Institute and editor-in-chief of Al-Fajr, a Jerusalem newspaper. More recently, he served in arms control and peace negotiations, becoming well known as an expert and pragmatic voice of Palestinian matters.
Initially aligned with the Democratic Party, Bahbah distanced himself from President Joe Biden over his handling of the Gaza conflict. In 2024, he threw his support behind Trump, founding “Arab Americans for Trump” — a group he later rebranded as “Arab Americans for Peace” following backlash to Trump’s suggestion of resettling Palestinians outside Gaza.
Backchannel Talks, Conflicting Messages
According to Newsweek and Axios, Bahbah was contacted directly by Hamas and opened a new communication channel, which was seen as a breakthrough by some and a breach of protocol by others. While Palestinian officials claimed Hamas agreed to a 60–70 day ceasefire proposal, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff rejected this, calling Hamas’s terms “completely unacceptable.”
The confusion has reportedly led to delays in negotiations, with media sources indicating that Bahbah may have “exceeded his brief,” further complicating the peace effort. Witkoff, on the other hand, proposed a shorter 45–60-day ceasefire involving the release of 19 living and 10 deceased hostages.
As Israel Escalates, Trump Pushes for Swift Resolution
On the ground, Israel continues its offensive under “Gideon’s Chariots,” targeting areas such as Khan Younis. The Israeli Defense Forces have issued new evacuation orders and created military corridors to increase control. Civilian casualties continue to mount as diplomatic efforts lag.
Trump, known for touting his “deal-making” prowess, has grown frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extended campaign. He recently urged Israel to end the war quickly, hinting at tensions between the two leaders.
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Published By:
Rivanshi Rakhrai
Published On:
May 28, 2025
