Hamas to Free American Hostage, Ready for Second-Phase Truce Talks

Group will also release bodies of four other hostages, as it seeks lifting of Gaza blockade

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DUBAI - Hamas said on March 14 that it agreed to release an American-Israeli dual national, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, after receiving a proposal from mediators to continue negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal.

Hamas said in a statement that it responded "positively" to the proposal that was presented on March 13 to resume negotiations. It will also release the bodies of four other dual nationality hostages, it said, without giving further details.

Two Hamas officials told Reuters that their agreement to release the American-Israeli hostage and the four bodies was conditional on beginning the talks on the second phase of the ceasefire, opening crossings and lifting a total blockade imposed by Israel two weeks ago.