Overview

• Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, and return the bodies of four other Israeli-American hostages.
• The proposal was made in response to mediation efforts aimed at advancing discussions on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
• Israel and Hamas remain divided over the terms of the truce, with Hamas pushing for immediate negotiations and Israel favoring an extension of the current phase.
• The ceasefire, which began on January 19 after 15 months of conflict, remains fragile as both sides struggle to agree on prisoner exchanges and other terms.
• International mediators, including a U.S. envoy, are working to finalize agreements, but Israel has yet to issue an official response to Hamas's latest offer.