Hamas has agreed to release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, the last U.S. citizen in the group’s captivity, as well as the bodies of four other dual-national captives. It is unclear if the release of Alexander is conditional and when he will be freed. Talks to continue the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are ongoing in Doha, Qatar. The White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not commented on the statement yet. The Trump administration has been in direct talks with Hamas regarding the release of U.S. hostages held in Gaza. Hamas’ decision to release the hostages came after receiving a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations. Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey, was taken hostage during the 2023 terrorist attacks in Gaza. Since then, more than 48,500 people have been killed in Gaza, and 70% of the infrastructure in the territory has been destroyed. The current ceasefire deal calls for the remaining hostages to be released during the second phase, but negotiations for this phase have not yet begun. Israel has urged Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase, while Hamas wants to negotiate the second phase, which would involve releasing the remaining hostages and ending the war.
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