Palestinian-American mediator praises Trump for ‘demonstrating the power of diplomacy’

Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah hails US President Donald Trump’s efforts in brokering a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas.

“We commend President Trump for his unwavering commitment to peace and for demonstrating the power of diplomacy in the face of decades of entrenched conflict,” Bahbah says in a statement.

“This agreement is not just a diplomatic achievement, it is a lifeline for thousands of families who have lived under the shadow of war for far too long,” he adds.

Bahbah has served as an unofficial mediator between the US and Hamas, playing a critical role in the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander earlier this year.

He also heads an organization called Arab Americans for Peace (AAFP), which helped campaign for Trump during the 2024 election. It later rebranded after the president unveiled a controversial plan in February to take over Gaza and permanently relocate its entire population. Trump has since abandoned the plan, and the one he successfully brokered to end the war envisioned encouraging Palestinians to remain in Gaza, rather than urging them to leave as envisioned by the Israeli far-right.

“AAFP emphasized that while this agreement is only the beginning, it is a meaningful and courageous first step that could reshape the trajectory of Israeli-Palestinian relations and offer hope to a region long plagued by violence and mistrust,” Bahbah’s group says in a statement.