Hamas Offers to Release American-Israeli Hostage and Four Bodies in Exchange for Ceasefire Progress

Israel casts doubt on the sincerity of Hamas' offer as negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire and hostage releases remain fraught.

Hamas announced plans to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli hostage, along with the bodies of four deceased dual-national captives, as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
The Israeli government has expressed skepticism about Hamas' intentions, accusing the group of psychological manipulation and stalling progress in talks mediated in Qatar.
The fragile ceasefire, in place for two weeks, has temporarily paused the Israel-Hamas war, but tensions remain high as both sides push for terms favorable to their objectives.
The United States, under the Trump administration, has engaged in direct talks with Hamas, diverging from its longstanding policy, to secure the release of hostages, a move that has strained U.S.-Israel relations.
Hamas holds 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others, with ongoing negotiations focused on extending the truce and addressing broader issues, including Gaza's future and humanitarian conditions.