The offer to release the American hostage appears to be an effort to pressure Israel into starting discussions over a second phase to the ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas said it’s willing to release a living American hostage and four bodies of other dual nationals from Gaza, a surprise move the group said would advance ceasefire talks, though was treated with suspicion by Israel.

Hamas says it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual-nationals, hostages who had died in captivity