Arab diplomatic sources have told Emirati outlet Erem News that the United States has requested mediators arrange direct discussions with Hamas to negotiate the release of hostages, including US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander and the remains of four other dual nationals.
According to unnamed sources, Washington submitted the request last week, and a meeting with a Hamas official could occur in the coming days. It remains unclear what the US might offer the designated terrorist group in exchange for Alexander’s release and the return of the bodies of Judih Weinstein, her husband Gadi Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Itay Chen.
The development follows remarks by Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s former hostage envoy, who said Wednesday that direct talks with Hamas could resume. "It is possible," Boehler acknowledged in his first interview on the Israel-Hamas conflict in weeks. His comments come after controversy erupted over his unprecedented negotiations with Hamas officials earlier this year to secure the release of Alexander and the repatriation of the slain hostages’ remains.
Israel was reportedly unaware of Boehler’s initial talks with Hamas, leading to a heated exchange between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and the former envoy. An Israeli official told *The Times of Israel* last week that Dermer rebuked Boehler for negotiating on Israel’s behalf without Jerusalem’s knowledge. However, Boehler insisted in Wednesday’s interview that his March proposal for the five American hostages had been "coordinated with Israel."
The push for negotiations comes as Hamas released a propaganda video Sunday featuring a visibly gaunt and distressed Alexander, who pleaded with Israeli and US authorities to secure his freedom after more than 18 months in captivity.
On Monday, Hamas claimed it lost contact with the militants holding Alexander following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. No further updates have been provided on his condition.
Comments
Post a Comment