In an unprecedented development, Hamas leaders have held direct talks with US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in recent days, focusing on the release of an American-Israeli dual national held by the group in Gaza, a senior Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday.
Taher Al-Nono, political adviser to the Hamas leadership, confirmed that multiple meetings took place in Doha, Qatar, over the past week.
“The discussions have centered on releasing one of the dual-national prisoners. We have approached this matter positively and flexibly, prioritizing the interests of the Palestinian people,” Nono stated.
Additionally, both sides discussed the phased agreement aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war. “We informed the American delegation that we are not opposed to releasing the prisoner as part of these talks,” he added.
Boehler described the negotiations as “very helpful,” expressing optimism about potential progress in securing hostage releases in the coming weeks. The Trump administration remains focused on securing the release of all 59 remaining hostages and ending the war, he said.
Ceasefire Negotiations Continue
On Saturday, both Israel and Hamas signaled readiness to advance ceasefire negotiations. Hamas met with Egyptian mediators and reaffirmed its willingness to discuss the next phase of the truce, while Israel announced plans to send negotiators to Doha for further talks on Monday.
Efforts to Free American-Israeli Hostage
US officials have identified 21-year-old Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier from New Jersey, as the last known living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, described his release as a “top priority.”
Boehler indicated that securing Alexander’s release—along with the bodies of four deceased American-Israeli hostages—could pave the way for further hostage exchanges.
Background and Ongoing Conflict
Hamas launched a cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza that has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza health officials.
A ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19 led to the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Hamas has also released five Thai hostages.
Despite the truce, tensions remain high. On Sunday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced that Israel Electric Corporation would stop selling electricity to Gaza as leverage to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. The impact of this decision is expected to be limited, as Israel had already cut power to Gaza at the onset of the war. However, it could affect a wastewater treatment facility still receiving electricity.
Meanwhile, Gaza medics reported that an Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed a Palestinian in Gaza City’s Shejaia neighborhood. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted armed individuals attempting to plant explosives near their forces.
