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Sunday, March 9, 2025
US-Hamas talks focused on Edan Alexander, only living hostage with American citizenship, terror official says
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Meetings between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in recent days have focused on the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, a senior Hamas official tells Reuters.
“Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners. We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people,” says Taher Al-Nono, political adviser to the leader of Hamas, confirming that talks took place over the past week.
Nono says the sides had also discussed how to see through the implementation of the phased agreement that went into effect on January 19.
“We informed the American delegation that we don’t oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks,” Nono tells Reuters.
Alexander, a 21-year-old New Jersey native who served in the IDF, is believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, though the bodies of several Americans are also believed held in Gaza. In total there are 24 living hostages and 35 bodies held by Hamas or its allies in Gaza.
Nono praises what he described as an “important role” played by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in reaching the January 19 ceasefire agreement that halted the fighting in Gaza.
“We hope that he will work to succeed in the negotiation of the second phase,” Nono says.
The Times of Israel Community.