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Friends and relatives of Israeli hostages held captive since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, stand behind a banner bearing their portraits during a demonstration calling for action to secure their release in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas says it's willing to release the one living Israeli-American hostage and the bodies of four other dual-national Americans it's been holding in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.
Hamas, the militant group that the U.S. and other countries have labeled as terrorists, put out a statement on its official Telegram channel, saying it's willing to release "Idan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four other dual nationals."
A Hamas official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to speak publicly on behalf of the group, told NPR the reference to "four other dual nationals" are the remaining Americans who have died.
The statement comes after the U.S. has, in recent weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in U.S. policy. Discussions are continuing in Qatar between the U.S., Israel, Hamas and others to broker the next stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The first phase ended two weeks ago. The sides have been trying to negotiate a new ceasefire, with Hamas demanding they move to phase two and Israel refusing. This appears to be the first sign of a breakthrough toward a deal.
Hamas said it would accept a proposal from mediators to release the five but it did not say when it would happen or what the militants want in exchange. There's not been any immediate comment from Israel, the U.S. or the other countries involved in the discussions.
There are 59 hostages still being held in Gaza. Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza and held by Palestinian militants.
