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.

The US is holding several direct talks with Hamas to free Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, 21, of New Jersey. Hamas Military Wing/Handout

US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, right, defended the talks with Hamas and suggested a hostage deal could be struck within weeks. CNN

“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.

Parents Adi and Yael Alexander stand with their younger son, Roy, as they advocate for their older son’s release at a New York event. Stephen Yang

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.

Alexander, who is believed to be the only captive American still alive, was seen in a Hamas video last year begging President Trump to help free him. Hamas Military Wing/Handout

“There is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they’ve accepted, and what Israel wants and it’s accepted,” he added.

Boehler also claimed that a large deal was in the works to free not just Alexander, but all the 59 hostages in Gaza — including the bodies of 35 hostages that were killed there.

“Something could come together within weeks,” Boehler said. “I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans.”

The specifics of the secret talks between the US and Hamas remain unclear, with the current cease-fire in Gaza held together by an agreement to avoid battling so long as negotiations are taking place.

The key issue revolves around phase two of the deal, which calls on both sides to establish the conditions for who will rule Gaza after the war.

Hamas, the current de-facto leaders who have governed the Palestinian enclave since 2007, have rejected Israel’s call for the group to give up their arms and any ambition to rule Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel refuses to fully withdraw from Gaza, seeking to control the enclaves southern border crossing with Egypt to halt the alleged flow of weapons.

With Post wires

Related Posts