Hamas announced Friday that it had accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage along with the bodies of four dual nationals who died in captivity. However, the Israeli prime minister’s office quickly dismissed the claim, accusing Hamas of using psychological tactics to manipulate ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
The militant group did not specify a timeline for the release of 19-year-old soldier Edan Alexander, who was abducted from his base during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Nor did it clarify what it expected in return for the release.
It remains unclear which mediators put forth the proposal Hamas referenced. Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. have been facilitating negotiations, but as of Friday night, none had confirmed making such an offer.
U.S. officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff, confirmed that they had presented a plan on Wednesday aiming to extend the ceasefire for several weeks while negotiating a permanent truce. They accused Hamas of publicly feigning flexibility while making “entirely impractical” demands behind closed doors.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that Israel had already “accepted the Witkoff outline and showed flexibility,” but that Hamas was unwilling to reciprocate.
“At the same time, it continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare. The reports about Hamas’ willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations,” the Israeli government wrote in a letter addressed to hostage families.
Israel’s negotiating team returned home from Qatar on Friday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to convene his ministerial team Saturday night to determine the next steps.
Meanwhile, Hamas sent a delegation to Cairo to continue ceasefire discussions with Egyptian officials. Hamas official Husam Badran reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire deal but warned that any Israeli deviations from its terms would reset negotiations to “square one.”
The White House recently acknowledged that U.S. officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas, signaling a shift away from Washington’s previous policy of not directly engaging with the group. This prompted a firm response from Netanyahu’s office.
According to the U.S., its latest proposal calls for Hamas to release Alexander and other living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The U.S. statement emphasized that Hamas must accept the offer soon, warning that delays would not work in its favor.
The initial phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago, but a tenuous pause in fighting has held since then. Under that first stage, 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others were returned in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli forces have since pulled back to buffer zones inside Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to the northern part of the strip. However, Israel cut off humanitarian aid to Gaza two weeks ago, leaving the territory’s 2 million residents in dire need.
Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
The Hostage Families Forum, representing most of the captives’ families, cautiously welcomed any potential release but warned, “Without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages.”
Israel has pushed Hamas to release at least half of the remaining hostages in exchange for extending the first phase of the ceasefire and negotiating a long-term truce. Hamas, on the other hand, wants discussions to move to the more contentious second phase—one that includes the release of all remaining hostages, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a lasting peace agreement.
The developments come as Jews celebrate the Purim holiday and Muslims continue observing Ramadan. On Friday, around 80,000 Muslim worshippers gathered for prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to the Islamic Trust, which monitors the site.
Israel has imposed age-based restrictions on worshippers, allowing only men over 55 and women over 50 to enter from the occupied West Bank.
“The conditions are extremely difficult,” said Yousef Badreen, a Palestinian from Hebron who traveled to Jerusalem for Friday prayers. “We wish they would open it permanently.”
Hamas accused Israel of escalating a “religious war” against Palestinians, describing the Al-Aqsa restrictions as part of a “systematic targeting of Muslim religious practices.” The Israeli government has yet to respond.
