Hamas has announced that it has accepted a mediator-backed proposal to release an American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four others who died in captivity. Israel quickly dismissed the claim, accusing the Palestinian militant group of manipulating ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
Hamas did not specify when it would release 19-year-old soldier Edan Alexander, captured during the group&rsquo;s October 7 attack, or what it expects in return. The group also did not clarify which mediators proposed the deal. Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been involved in the talks, but none confirmed the proposal as of Friday night.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s office rejected Hamas&rsquo;s announcement. Hamas &ldquo;continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare,&rdquo; it said in a letter to hostage families, adding, &ldquo;the reports about Hamas&rsquo;s willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations.&rdquo;
Israel&rsquo;s negotiating team returned from Doha on Friday, and Netanyahu plans to meet with his ministerial team on Saturday night to assess the next steps.
US&nbsp;officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, said they had presented a proposal on Wednesday to extend the ceasefire for several weeks to facilitate negotiations for a lasting truce. While Hamas has publicly signalled flexibility, US&nbsp;officials accused the group of making &ldquo;entirely impractical&rdquo; demands behind closed doors.
The White House confirmed ongoing talks with Hamas, a notable shift from longstanding US&nbsp;policy of avoiding direct engagement with the militant group.
Under the US&nbsp;proposal, Hamas would release Alexander and other living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. American officials warned that Hamas must act quickly, stating that delays &ldquo;will not pay off&rdquo; for the group.
Ceasefire Status and Humanitarian Crisis
The first phase of the ceasefire, which ended two weeks ago, led to the release of 25 hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. While fighting has paused, tensions remain high.
Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. However, Israel cut off aid supplies two weeks ago, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. The Hamas-run media office in Gaza estimates that 80% of residents lack food access, and 90% do not have clean drinking water.
Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others. The group seeks to negotiate the ceasefire&rsquo;s next phase, which would include releasing all remaining hostages, a full Israeli withdrawal, and a lasting peace deal.
The Hostage Families Forum, representing the families of those still in captivity, welcomed any releases but stressed the need for a comprehensive agreement.
&ldquo;Without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages,&rdquo; the group said in a statement Friday.
Israel has pushed Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire and negotiating a longer-term truce. However, Hamas has demanded broader talks on the next phase before releasing more captives.

Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others

Israel terms Hamas’s offer to release US-Israeli hostage and 4 bodies a ploy to stall talks

Hamas Offers Hostage Deal, Israel Skeptical

Israel terms Hamas’s offer to release US-Israeli hostage and 4 bodies a ploy to stall talks

March 15, 2025 | 11:39 IST