HAMILTON, Canada

A senior Hamas official contacted a former pro-Trump activist in April in a secret effort to open talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff, ultimately leading to the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Axios reported Tuesday.

Citing multiple officials, the Axios report stated that Bishara Bahbah—a Palestinian-American businessman and former leader of "Arab Americans for Trump"—received nearly 20 messages from Hamas representatives over the past two weeks.

The outreach aimed to convince the Trump administration to increase pressure on Israel amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, the report said.

With Qatari mediation, Witkoff and Bahbah helped convince Hamas to release Alexander without demanding anything in return, a move reportedly meant to influence US President Donald Trump's position on Gaza.

According to the report, Hamas hoped the gesture would prompt Washington to back a ceasefire and broader negotiations.

Israeli officials were reportedly kept in the dark, learning of the backchannel talks through their intelligence services. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aide, Ron Dermer, confirmed the talks with Witkoff during a Washington visit last week.

The report said Hamas ultimately agreed to release Alexander on Sunday. The Trump administration later offered a potential 70–90 day ceasefire and future negotiations in return for the release of 10 additional hostages, a Palestinian official told Axios.