Hamas says it is prepared to release American-Israeli hostage and bodies of four dual nationals

Hamas said it is prepared to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.

Hamas said it is prepared to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza. The militant group said it had received “a proposal” from mediators, without going into details. Qatar and Egypt have mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. “The movement responded with responsibility and positivity, submitting its reply at dawn today, which included its approval to release Zionist soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four others with dual nationality.” Alexander would be the first male soldier to be released from Hamas captivity. In previous exchanges, Hamas has demanded a much higher price for the freedom of male soldiers than it has for civilians or women. The group hasn’t identified the names of the dead hostages it is willing to release or specified when any hostages may be freed. The United States has put forward a new proposal that would secure the release of a handful of living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a month-long extension of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, a source familiar with the negotiations said.