JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas announced on Friday that it has approved a plan put forth by mediators to release an American-Israeli soldier and the remains of four individuals with dual nationality who died while in captivity. The declaration comes amid ongoing discussions in Qatar aimed at advancing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
The Gaza-based militant group did not provide a specific timeline for the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four deceased hostages, and other nations involved in the accord have not yet verified Hamas’ statement. Alexander, who was kidnapped during a Hamas incursion on October 7, 2023, at the age of 19, remains in captivity.
The details of the negotiation process remain undisclosed. The United States, led by hostage envoy Steve Witkoff under the previous administration, has been advocating for an arrangement that would prolong the ceasefire and involve a limited prisoner exchange for hostages.
Subsequent to Hamas’ announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened with senior advisors for security consultations, as relayed by an Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity.
The first phase of the ceasefire concluded two weeks ago. The White House surprised many last week by disclosing ongoing direct discussions with Hamas officials, marking a break from the longstanding U.S. policy of avoiding direct engagement with the group. The Israeli government responded tersely to this development.
It is unclear whether these talks are related to Hamas’ Friday announcement regarding the detainee release. In a separate statement, Hamas representative Husam Badran emphasized the group’s commitment to implementing the ceasefire in its entirety, cautioning against Israeli non-compliance that could reset negotiations.
The current ceasefire has halted the deadliest and most damaging clashes between Israel and Hamas. The initial phase entailed the return of 25 hostages and the remains of eight individuals in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners being freed.
Israeli troops have pulled back to buffer zones within Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza for the first time since the conflict’s outset. However, daily aid shipments have been suspended by Israel.
Israel is pushing for Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for extending the first phase and commencing discussions on a lasting peace. Hamas reportedly holds 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others.
Israel recently ceased all supplies to Gaza and its over two million inhabitants in its effort to secure Hamas’ cooperation. The militant group has warned that the cutoff will adversely affect the hostages and the population at large.
Hamas is eager to advance to the more challenging second phase of the ceasefire, which would entail releasing the remaining hostages, withdrawing Israeli forces, and establishing a lasting peace. The group asserts that the supply suspension has left 80% of Gaza’s residents without access to food sources and 90% lacking clean water.
In Jerusalem, around 80,000 Muslim worshippers congregated at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for prayers for
During Ramadan, the Islamic Trust reports that Israel is closely regulating entry to the Al-Aqsa mosque, permitting only men over 55 and women over 50 from the occupied territory for prayers. Palestinian Yousef Badeen, who traveled from Hebron to Jerusalem, described the challenging conditions and expressed a hope for improved access. Hamas criticized Israel for allegedly intensifying a “religious war” against Palestinians by restricting Muslim religious practices at Al-Aqsa mosque. (Contributed to this report: Associated Press writer David Rising in Bangkok.)
