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Hamas said it was ready to release a US and Israeli citizen, who is reportedly the last living American hostage in the Gaza Strip. This decision was made after receiving a new proposal from international mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
According to Reuters, Hamas said in a statement that the organisation had responded positively to the proposal presented on Thursday. In addition, the militants are ready to hand over the bodies of four more hostages with dual citizenship, without disclosing details.
Negotiations between Hamas representatives and US hostage negotiator Adam Beller in recent days have focused on the release of 21-year-old Edan Alexander from New Jersey, who served in the Israeli army.
Back in early March, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Whitkoff said that Alexander’s return was a top priority for Washington.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt are seeking to overcome the differences between Hamas and Israel in order to resume negotiations on the second phase of the agreement. Its main tasks are to release the remaining hostages and to arrange the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-torn enclave.
However, Israel is demanding that Hamas release the hostages before discussing the second stage, which involves the possible withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
On 2 March, Israel blocked the entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza amid the escalation of the conflict over the ceasefire. Hamas, in turn, called on Egypt and Qatar to intervene in the situation.
The previous phase of the agreement, which was in effect since 19 January, included a hostage exchange. Hamas released 33 Israelis and 5 Thai citizens in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
