Hamas States American-Israeli Hostage Release Tied to Ceasefire Agreement

CAIRO, Egypt — Hamas announced on Saturday its conditional offer to release one American-Israeli hostage along with the bodies of four others, contingent on Israel honoring a ceasefire agreement. A senior Hamas official referred to the proposal as an “exceptional deal” designed to restore the truce. In stark contrast, Israeli airstrikes that same day resulted in the deaths of nine individuals in Gaza, including journalists and medics, according to various reports.

The Hamas official indicated that negotiations regarding the second phase of the ceasefire must commence on the day of the hostage release, with a timeline not exceeding 50 days. Key stipulations include Israel ceasing restrictions on humanitarian aid and withdrawing from a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. However, Israel has expressed refusal to withdraw, citing ongoing concerns over weapons smuggling.

Among those held captive is Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old who was abducted during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault. He is currently the only U.S. citizen known to be held in Gaza. Hamas reportedly retains a total of 59 hostages, with 35 believed to have perished.

At a protest camp in Tel Aviv, family members of hostages accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to uphold the agreements made, which they claim has left their loved ones in jeopardy. One protester, Itzik Horn, emotionally commented on the sacrifices being made in the name of power.

Late on Saturday, Netanyahu’s office announced his directive for negotiators to resume discussions focused on hostage release agreements.

In a separate incident, two Israeli airstrikes hit Beit Lahiya, resulting in multiple fatalities. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed the deaths, including three journalists who were documenting aid distribution efforts. Local health worker Fares Awad identified one victim as Mahmoud Islim, a drone operator.

The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted individuals it claimed were militant threats. They said the airstrikes also hit groups attempting to retrieve drone equipment. Notably, the military categorized all individuals targeted as suspected militants, providing no additional evidence to substantiate these claims.

The Al Khair Foundation, which lost eight workers in the strikes, issued a statement denying any affiliation between their staff and militant activities. Meanwhile, Hamas condemned the attacks as escalatory moves by Israel aimed at derailing ceasefire efforts.

On the military front, Israel has recently taken disciplinary actions against soldiers filmed firing their weapons during a celebration, purportedly violating protocol. Although there has not been significant fighting since the ceasefire commenced on January 19, Israeli attacks have continued, claiming several lives under various justifications.

The United States has facilitated ongoing negotiations between the warring parties, presenting a proposal to extend the ceasefire as both sides navigate the path toward a more permanent resolution. Talks are currently ongoing in Egypt, where international mediation efforts continue.

In terms of humanitarian impact, Israel has recently limited the delivery of essential supplies to Gaza, exacerbating the conditions for the region’s 2 million residents. The city of Rafah has announced it can no longer provide fuel for water wells, threatening basic services amid the ongoing blockade.

The current conflict, which erupted following Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel in October, has had devastating consequences on both sides. Reports estimate over 48,000 Palestinian deaths—predominantly women and children—while Israel claims to have neutralized approximately 20,000 militants, a figure not corroborated by independent sources.

Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel contributed to this report.