Hamas has offered to return American hostages being held in Gaza.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the terror group made the offer after the Trump administration made it clear it is one of their goals to permanently end the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The proposal was rejected by Israel, who cited “manipulation and psychological warfare” on the part of Hamas, with the WSJ reporting that Israel is “wary” of any deal that excludes hostages who are not U.S. citizens and refuses to lose the option of continuing the fight.
The Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement that said Hamas is trying to sabotage any negotiations.
“The reports about Hamas’ willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations,” the office said.
Currently, Hamas is holding one American hostage, Edan Alexander, and the bodies of four others, while the offer was made on Friday after there had been calls made for Israel to enter into negotiations to end the conflict.
Israel’s negotiators reportedly pushed back on the idea, however, after they and Arab mediators had spent days negotiating various ways to have hostages returned in exchange for a ceasefire extension.
The WSJ further reported that the Trump administration’s hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, had upset Israeli officials when he suggested that Hamas was willing to lay down its arms in exchange for a truce. Boehler was subsequently taken off the cease-fire talks but still remained a part of the efforts to secure a peaceful resolution, U.S. officials reportedly said.
President Donald Trump had proposed not long after taking office, that he would redevelop the Gaza Strip and relocate the Palestinian population, before threatening to return to war if hostages were not released.
In total, there are 59 hostages still being held, with an estimated 24 still being alive. The Trump administration is in close contact with Alexander’s family for his return, as well as the families of the other four U.S. hostages who died.
