Gaza, March 14, 2025:The Palestinian group Hamas has stated that it is prepared to release Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander and return the remains of four other dual nationals, following indirect negotiations with Israel.
In a statement on Friday, Hamas confirmed that it had received a new proposal from mediators on Thursday regarding ceasefire talks. The group’s response included approval to hand over Alexander and the four remains.
This announcement comes amid new rounds of indirect negotiations in Doha, Qatar, where both Hamas and Israel have sent negotiating teams to discuss a potential truce extension.
A six-week ceasefire expired on March 1 without an agreement for subsequent phases. During that period, Hamas released 33 captives—including eight deceased—in exchange for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. After the truce collapsed, Israel intensified its blockade on Gaza, worsening starvation and humanitarian suffering for 2.3 million civilians.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has reported that basic food and medical supplies are running dangerously low, with the UN warning of mass starvation. UN humanitarian official Olga Cherevko stated that hope from the ceasefire had been replaced by fear, as supplies dwindle. The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that six out of 25 bakeries have shut down due to lack of fuel. Israel has cut off power to Gaza’s main water desalination plant, leaving 600,000 people without drinking water. Gaza’s sanitation system was already in collapse due to months of war, but the blockade has made it even worse.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 48,524 Palestinians killed and 111,955 injured in Israel’s ongoing military assault. Gaza’s Government Media Office later revised the toll to over 61,700, accounting for those still buried under rubble. In comparison, 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with over 200 captives taken. Despite the ceasefire negotiations, Israel bombed areas in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, killing two children. Israel has denied accusations of targeting civilians, maintaining that it is focusing on Hamas military infrastructure.
