By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-14 12:16:40 | Updated at 2025-03-14 15:07:52
2 hours ago
Hamas said on Friday it agreed to release an American-Israeli dual national, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, after receiving a proposal from mediators to continue negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal.
Hamas said in a statement that it responded “positively” to the proposal that was presented on Thursday to resume negotiations. It will also release the bodies of four other dual nationality hostages, it said without giving further details.
There was no immediate comment from Israel.
Meetings between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in recent days sought the release of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old man from New Jersey, who served as a soldier with the Israeli military.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters at the White House early in March that gaining the release of Alexander was a “top priority”.
The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to bridge differences between the Islamic militant group and Israel to restart negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal to release the remaining hostages held in Gaza and facilitate the entry of aid into the war-torn enclave.
