Hamas Accepts US Initiative To Free US Citizen, 4 Bodies Of US-Israelis

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Hamas announced Friday that it is accepting a US initiative to free dual-citizen IDF soldier Idan Alexander as well as four deceased hostages. The terrorist group announced that it had “responded positively” to the U.S.-brokered proposal to release Idan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, along with the bodies of four other hostages who also hold dual citizenship.

The terror group added that it was “ready to begin negotiations for a comprehensive agreement, including the deal’s second phase,” and called for Israel to be “held accountable for fully implementing its commitments.”

Despite Hamas’s announcement, Israel’s Channel 12 reports that neither Alexander’s family nor the families of the unnamed slain hostages have been notified of anything new.

Israel has yet to respond to the Hamas proposal but President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has been working with mediators in Doha on a parallel deal which is centered on releasing three to five living hostages and several bodies in exchange for a 50-day cease-fire, during which negotiations would continue for the next phase of the agreement. Israel is currently demanding that more live hostages be released in the Witkoff deal.

Talks have not yet begun on the number of Palestinian prisoners who would be released in exchange for each hostage, making it unclear whether Hamas’ announcement represents a major breakthrough. However, it does signal some progress.

Hamas’s announcement demonstrates that it has chosen to adopt a proposal presented by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler during unprecedented direct talks last week, rather than pursue the outline presented by Steve Witkoff in Doha earlier this week.

Some 59 hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are officially classified as alive. Israel has conducted limited strikes in response to what it deems cease-fire violations and has also halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas.
It additionally cut electricity supplies to water desalination facilities in the Strip, a move security officials warned could endanger the hostages. Several families of captives have already petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court against the measure.