The offer to release the American hostage appears to be an effort to pressure Israel into starting discussions over a second phase to the ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage it is holding in Gaza, in a move meant to demonstrate that it is serious about ongoing negotiations over ending its war with Israel.

Hamas says it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual-nationals.