Hamas announced on Friday that they have agreed to release Edan Alexander, an American Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for 17 months, as well as the remains of four other hostages. However, the statement did not specify when the releases would occur or what Hamas is requesting in return.

Israel has not yet commented on Hamas’s statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a security meeting to discuss the matter, according to an anonymous Israeli official who is not authorized to speak publicly.

In their statement, Hamas claims to have received a proposal from unnamed mediators to which they have officially responded with their demands, which include the release of Mr. Alexander and the four bodies.

However, it remains unclear whether Israel and Hamas have actually come closer to a deal or whether Israel would agree to any proposed terms.

Israel and Hamas are currently supposed to be negotiating the second phase of the Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal that began in January. These negotiations have seen minimal progress due to deep-rooted disputes between the two sides over control of the Palestinian enclave.

Last week, the Trump administration held meetings with Hamas, bypassing the stalled Israeli-Hamas negotiations, in an effort to liberate the remaining American hostages held in Gaza. Adam Boehler, President Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, met with senior Hamas officials in Doha.

During the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that sparked the Gaza conflict, Hamas and other militant groups captured about 250 hostages. Over 100 have since returned alive to Israel after deals with Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while Israeli soldiers retrieved the bodies of dozens of others during their ground invasion of Gaza.

As per the Israeli government, up to 24 living hostages and the bodies of at least 35 others remain in Gaza. Among the remaining hostages are five Americans: Mr. Alexander, who is believed to be the last American-Israeli hostage still alive, and four others presumed dead.