Hamas announced its willingness to release Edan Alexander and four deceased hostages, marking a potential shift in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, but the situation remains delicate as terms and further agreements are still unclear.
Hamas Proposes Release of American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander
Hamas Proposes Release of American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander
Hamas has agreed to free Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli soldier, after 17 months, and return the bodies of four other captives.
Hamas stated on Friday that it is prepared to free Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli soldier who has been held captive in Gaza for 17 months. The group also pledged to return the remains of four other hostages, although it did not disclose a timeline for these releases or any conditions it might require in exchange.
The Israeli government has not yet responded to Hamas's announcement. According to an anonymous Israeli official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a security meeting to deliberate on the situation.
Hamas's statement indicated that it had received a proposal from unspecified mediators and crafted a formal response that included the release of Alexander and the remains of the four others. However, it remains uncertain if Israel and Hamas are truly nearing an agreement or what, if any, conditions Israel may attach to such an arrangement.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas for the second phase of a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal initiated in January have reportedly stalled, hindered by deep-rooted disputes over the governance of the Palestinian territory.
In a recent development, the Trump administration held meetings with Hamas, bypassing the stagnant Israeli-Hamas dialogues in a bid to secure the release of remaining American hostages. Adam Boehler, President Trump's nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, engaged with Hamas officials in Doha.
Following the attack by Hamas and other militant groups on October 7, 2023, around 250 hostages were captured. While more than 100 hostages have been successfully returned to Israel in exchange for Palestinian detainees, current estimates indicate that up to 24 hostages and at least 35 deceased individuals’ remains are still held in Gaza, including five Americans: Alexander, the last known living American-Israeli hostage, alongside four others presumed dead.
Aaron Boxerman reports for The Times from Jerusalem, focusing on the Israel-Gaza conflict and its implications.
