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Washington has requested direct talks with representatives of the Hamas terrorist group on the issue of releasing hostages. According to Arab media, citing diplomatic sources, the US wants to secure the release of US-Israeli citizen Idan Alexander, as well as the return of the bodies of four other dual nationals.
According to the sources, the request was passed on to mediators last week, and such a meeting could take place in the coming days. There is no official confirmation from the US yet, but the talks are in a “delicate phase,” insiders say.
Among the victims whose bodies the US is seeking to return are Judith Weinstein and her husband, Gadi Haggai, as well as Omer Neutra and Itai Chen. It is not yet known what the US can offer in exchange for Alexander’s release and the return of the bodies.
At the same time, according to Israeli sources, the actions of the US side caused dissatisfaction in Israel. Last week, Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer publicly criticised President Donald Trump’s special envoy Adam Beller for conducting negotiations allegedly on behalf of Israel without informing official Jerusalem.
The situation once again highlights the growing tension between the US and Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lack of coordination in negotiations with terrorist groups. The US request for direct contact with Hamas may indicate increased domestic pressure on the Trump administration, both from relatives of the hostages and the American public concerned about the fate of their compatriots.
Preparations for a possible meeting and clarification of the terms of a potential exchange are expected to continue in the coming days.
