Hamas says it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements the existing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, calling it an "exceptional deal" aimed at getting the truce back on track.

Hamas will not release the last living American hostage it kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, 21-year-old Edan Alexander, unless Israel adheres to a ceasefire agreement. The terrorist organization agreed on Friday to release Alexander along with the bodies of four dead hostages,

Israel has introduced what it said was a new U.S. ceasefire plan and is trying to force Hamas to accept it by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip