Hamas Claims Willingness to Release Hostage and Bodies, But Israel Casts Doubt
JERUSALEM — Hamas announced on Friday that it has agreed to a proposal to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four deceased captives. However, Israel immediately dismissed the claim as a manipulative tactic designed to disrupt ongoing negotiations in Qatar concerning the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
The militant group did not specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander—who was captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel—would take place, nor did it clarify what it expected in return. Israel, however, remains skeptical of the offer’s legitimacy.
Israeli Response and Skepticism
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement denouncing Hamas’ move as psychological warfare rather than a genuine step toward resolving the hostage crisis. “Hamas is refusing to shift its positions and continues to engage in manipulative tactics,” the statement read. Israel maintains that it has shown “flexibility” in negotiations based on the Witkoff outline—a U.S.-backed proposal aimed at securing the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners—but claims Hamas remains intransigent.
Netanyahu is set to convene a ministerial meeting on Saturday night to assess the situation and determine Israel’s next course of action.
A Complex and Fragile Ceasefire
The ceasefire, which brought a temporary halt to the most intense fighting between Israel and Hamas in history, has seen a limited exchange of captives. The first phase resulted in the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions persist over the terms of future exchanges and Israel’s military posture in Gaza.
Israel has pushed for Hamas to release at least half of the remaining hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire, but Hamas has refused to agree to these terms. The group is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
Humanitarian Crisis and Geopolitical Tensions
As negotiations continue, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has worsened. Two weeks ago, Israel cut off all supplies to the territory, where over two million people are struggling with dwindling food and water resources. Aid distribution has halted, and markets have been depleted, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Jerusalem, where Israel has imposed strict entry restrictions on Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Only men over 55 and women over 50 from the occupied territories are permitted entry, a move Hamas has condemned as part of a broader Israeli campaign against Palestinian religious freedoms.
With diplomatic efforts at a standstill and trust between the two sides at an all-time low, the future of the ceasefire—and the fate of the remaining hostages—remains deeply uncertain.
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Hamas Claims Willingness to Release Hostage and Bodies, But Israel Casts Doubt