US working to free final living American held in Gaza Edan Alexander as part of talks with Hamas, terror group says
The US is pushing Hamas to release Edan Alexander, the final living American being held in Gaza, as part of direct talks with the terror organization, the group said.Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas political adviser, confirmed reports that the US was negotiating with the terrorists for the first time in decades — with the group open striking to a deal to free Alexander, 21, a New Jersey native.“Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners,” Nono told Reuters on Sunday.Trump’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler, meanwhile, said a broader cease-fire deal could be agreed “within weeks” — resulting in the release of all hostages.“We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people,” he added.The Hamas adviser suggested Alexander would only be freed along with the other 23 hostages are are believed to be alive in the Palestinian enclave.
The first phase of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas has lapsed, but the war has not started again.The two sides are currently working to strike and accord that would permanently end the war and send all hostages back home.Nono said he’s confident hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will be able to secure the implementation of phase two.The Trump administration has flagged Alexander as a “top priority,” with Boehler speaking directly with Hamas negotiators without prior notice to Israel, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Boehler defended the talks on Sunday, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper that America is free to do what is in its best interest and that Israel will have to make some compromises in the heated negotiations.“We’re the United States.
We’re not an agent of Israel.We have specific interests at play,” Boehler said.“There is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they’ve accepted, and what Is...