Buddies and family of Israeli hostages held captive because the October 7, 2023 assaults by Palestinian militants within the Gaza Strip, stand behind a banner bearing their portraits throughout an indication calling for motion to safe their launch in entrance of the Israeli Protection Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
Jack Guez/AFP by way of Getty Photos
cover caption
toggle caption
Jack Guez/AFP by way of Getty Photos
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas says it is prepared to launch the one dwelling Israeli-American hostage and the our bodies of 4 different dual-national Individuals it has been holding in Gaza because the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.
Hamas put out a press release on its official Telegram channel, saying it is prepared to launch “[E]dan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, along with the our bodies of 4 different twin nationals.” A Hamas official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he isn’t permitted to talk publicly on behalf of the group, informed NPR the reference to “4 different twin 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 significant shift in U.S. coverage. The U.S. and European nations contemplate the group terrorists.
Discussions are continuing in Qatar between the U.S., Israel, Hamas and others to dealer the subsequent 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 might settle for a proposal from mediators to launch the 5 however it didn’t say when it might occur or what the group is demanding in trade.
Response from Israel was swift.
In an e mail despatched to members of the family of the hostages, the Israeli negotiators stated, “Hamas continues to make use of manipulations and psychological warfare — the stories about its alleged willingness to launch American hostages are supposed to sabotage the negotiations.” A press release from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated he would “convene the ministerial workforce on Saturday evening to obtain an in depth briefing from the negotiation workforce and resolve on the subsequent steps to safe the discharge of the hostages.”
There’s not been any quick remark from the U.S. or different nations concerned within the discussions.
Hamas has additionally acknowledged 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 struggle completely and withdraw its troops from Gaza. The group is pushing for a dedication to a long-lasting truce earlier than liberating 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 Aya Batrawy contributed reporting from Dubai, and Itay Stern and Kat Lonsdorf in Tel Aviv.
