Hamas announced on Friday that it accepted a U.S. proposal to release Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander and the remains of four other deceased Israeli captives who also carry dual nationality. In exchange, Israel will release a new batch of Palestinian prisoners. But the real reason Hamas is going forward with the release can be gleaned in the events leading up to the announcement.
Arab satellite channel Al-Ghad TV quoted an unnamed Hamas official saying that after Hamas had initially refused a prior proposal from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to release half of the remaining Israeli captives in its custody, the new demand became limited to five captives only — Edan Alexander and the four bodies. In exchange for releasing them, the source said, negotiations would move forward over a prospective second phase of the ceasefire that is intended to lead to a permanent end to the war. The same source was quoted as saying that Hamas demanded “a clear roadmap for talks on the second phase.” The release of Alexander is the first step in moving this process along. …more
