Hamas given US offer to revive ceasefire in exchange for American hostage's release

Qatar has presented Hamas with a new US proposal to restore the ceasefire in Gaza through the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, a senior Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel on Thursday.

In exchange for Alexander’s release, US President Donald Trump would issue a statement calling for calm in Gaza and the resumption of negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, the diplomat said, confirming reports on Channel 12 and the Axios news site.

The Arab diplomat expressed skepticism that Hamas would agree to release Alexander for only a statement from Trump and said the terror group would likely ask for something more substantial, given its skepticism regarding Israel’s willingness to adhere to agreements. Alexander is one of the remaining 59 hostages — 24 of whom are still alive, according to Israeli intelligence assessments.

Hamas has already refused a proposal from US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff, which sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. The group has insisted on sticking to the terms of the deal signed in January, which should’ve entered its second phase on March 2. That phase envisions the release of all remaining living hostages in exchange for a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities have been dismantled and has accordingly refused to enter the second phase, instead pushing for an extension of the phase one temporary ceasefire. After more than two weeks in a holding pattern, Israel renewed intensive military operations throughout Gaza on March 18.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-given-us-offer-to-revive-ceasefire-in-exchange-for-american-hostages-release/