Pals and kin of Israeli hostages held captive for the reason that October 7, 2023 assaults by Palestinian militants within the Gaza Strip, stand behind a banner bearing their portraits throughout an illustration calling for motion to safe their launch in entrance of the Israeli Protection Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
Jack Guez/AFP through Getty Photographs
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Jack Guez/AFP through Getty Photographs
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas says it is keen to launch the one dwelling Israeli-American hostage and the our bodies of 4 different dual-national Individuals it has been holding in Gaza for the reason that October 7, 2023 assaults in Israel.
Hamas put out an announcement on its official Telegram channel, saying it is keen to launch “[E]dan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four other dual nationals.” A Hamas official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he’s not permitted to talk publicly on behalf of the group, informed NPR the reference to “four other dual nationals” are the remaining Individuals who’ve died.
The assertion comes after the U.S. has, in current weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a serious shift in U.S. coverage. The U.S. and European international locations think about the group terrorists.
Discussions are persevering with in Qatar between the U.S., Israel, Hamas and others to dealer the following stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The primary part ended two weeks in the past. The perimeters have been making an attempt to barter a brand new ceasefire, with Hamas demanding they transfer to part two and Israel refusing. This seems to be the primary signal of a breakthrough towards a deal.
Hamas stated it could settle for a proposal from mediators to launch the 5 hostages, but it surely didn’t say when it could occur or what the group is demanding in trade.
Response from Israel was swift.
In an electronic mail despatched to relations of the hostages, the Israeli negotiators stated, “Hamas continues to employ manipulations and psychological warfare — the reports about its alleged willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations.” A press release from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated he would “convene the ministerial team on Saturday night to receive a detailed briefing from the negotiation team and decide on the next steps to secure the release of the hostages.”
There’s not been any quick remark from the U.S. or different international locations concerned within the discussions.
Hamas has additionally said quite a few instances in current weeks it is able to launch all of the hostages it holds — lifeless and alive — in a single go if Israel agrees to finish the battle completely and withdraw its troops from Gaza. The group is pushing for a dedication to an enduring truce earlier than releasing all of the hostages it nonetheless holds.
There are 59 hostages nonetheless being held in Gaza. Israel believes 24 hostages are nonetheless alive in Gaza and held by the Palestinian militants.
NPR’s Kat Lonsdorf and Itay Stern contributed reporting from Tel Aviv, Anas Baba in Gaza, Aya Batrawy from Dubai, and Abu Bakr Bashir in London.
