Hamas declared Saturday it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, 21, and the bodies of four others only if Israel fully implements the existing Gaza ceasefire agreement. A senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously, termed it an “exceptional deal” to revive the stalled truce, demanding second-phase talks begin on the release day and conclude within 50 days. Conditions include Israel lifting its aid blockade and withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor along Gaza’s Egypt border, alongside freeing more Palestinian prisoners.

Alexander, abducted from his military base during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, is the last living American captive in Gaza. Israel’s response was muted due to the Sabbath, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had previously dismissed Hamas’ initial offer as “manipulation.” The U.S., which proposed extending the ceasefire this week, criticized Hamas’ private demands as “impractical,” despite public flexibility.

Negotiations persist in Cairo, hosted by Egypt and Qatar, key mediators in the January truce that freed 25 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinians. That deal’s first phase ended March 1, but Israel’s refusal to exit the strategic corridor and its aid restrictions have stalled progress. Hamas rejected a U.S.-backed plan for partial hostage releases, alleging Israel reneged on commitments.

The war, triggered by Hamas’ 2023 assault killing 1,200 and taking 251 hostages, has claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, and devastated the region. With 59 hostages remaining, 24 alive, the truce hangs in limbo.