Hamas announced it is ready to release an Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander, and the remains of four other dual nationals, following indirect ceasefire negotiations.
The US is proposing a “bridge” plan to extend the ceasefire in Gaza into April beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a permanent cessation of hostilities, the White House said in a statement on Friday.
The proposal was presented on Wednesday by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Council official Eric Trager, according to a statement issued by their offices.
“Through our Qatari and Egyptian partners, Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this “bridge” would have to be implemented soon — and that dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately,” it added
Hamas on Friday said its delegation headed to Cairo to follow up with developments related to the ceasefire in Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas said a delegation headed by its senior leader Khalil al-Hayya traveled to Cairo to meet Egyptian officials and follow up the developments.
Meanwhile, mass graves containing 180 bodies, including 50 unidentified individuals, were discovered near Al-Shifa Hospital, intensifying international calls for independent investigations into potential war crimes.
