Hamas has announced that it will release a U.S.-Israeli dual national, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza. Additionally, the bodies of four dual-nationals who died in captivity will be handed over. This decision follows a proposal by mediators to resume negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has expressed skepticism, accusing Hamas of attempting to manipulate ongoing talks in Qatar regarding the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. No specific details have been provided regarding the timing of the release of the hostages or what, if anything, is expected in return. The U.S., led by hostage envoy Steve Witkoff, has been pushing for a proposal to extend the truce and facilitate a limited prisoner exchange. The White House recently revealed that American officials have been engaging in discussions with Hamas, marking a shift from the long-standing U.S. policy of not directly engaging with the group. It remains unclear whether these talks are connected to Hamas’ announcement about the hostage release. The situation involving the hostages, including Edan Alexander, who was abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, continues to unfold as negotiations and discussions take place.
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