Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who was a key mediator for the release of former Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, will no longer be working with the US negotiating team for a ceasefire and hostage deal, N12 reported Saturday.
"Dear people of Gaza, all I can say now is that aid trucks will continue to enter the Strip on a regular basis. Unfortunately, most of the aid trucks are stolen as soon as they enter the Strip," Bahbah said on Facebook Friday night.
"Ceasefire negotiations are currently stalled. I am not a mediator in the true sense of the word, but I share your suffering. My role is to convey your voices to all officials, high and low. As I said before, I have not and will not forget you."
Bahbah is now expected to work separately from US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, according to N12.
"I can achieve more with Hamas when I conduct myself freely," he said, according to the report. Bahbah said that he was never an official member of the US negotiating team.
"I have played the role of a mediator whenever Steve Witkoff asked me to do so. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Witkoff. I believe that President Trump wants to end the tragedy in Gaza," he added.
In late July, Bahbah criticized Hamas for not providing a quick response to an Israeli proposal. "The delay is costing the Palestinian people dozens of victims every day, and there is no convincing reason to delay the response or to demand amendments that are not essential," he wrote on Facebook.
Bahbah's deal proposal months ago
Bahbah proposed a plan in May for a 70-day ceasefire and the release of 10 hostages in two stages, Ynet reported.
Bahbah's plan "is something that no Israeli government would agree to accept. Hamas is setting impossible conditions that mean a complete failure to meet the goals of the war, and an inability to release the hostages," an Israeli official told the Israeli news site.