Kat Lonsdorff

In that telegram statement, Hamas said it will release 21-year-old Idam Alexander, an Israeli soldier, an American dual citizen who was serving at the time of his capture. It also agreed to release the bodies of, quote, four other dual nationals. It's unclear what the terms of their release would be or whether a formal proposal has been put forward to either side by the mediators.

The statement comes after the U.S. has, in recent weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in U.S. policy. Both U.S. officials and Hamas confirmed they discussed the release of American hostages. In response to the announcement, Israel called Hamas' willingness to release the Americans, quote, alleged, and said it was intended to sabotage negotiations. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

The statement comes after the U.S. has, in recent weeks, held direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in U.S. policy. Both U.S. officials and Hamas confirmed they discussed the release of American hostages. In response to the announcement, Israel called Hamas' willingness to release the Americans, quote, alleged, and said it was intended to sabotage negotiations. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Ahead of the prayers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that only Muslim men over the age of 55 and women over 50, as well as children under 12, would be allowed. All needed to obtain a special permit and undergo screening in order to leave the West Bank and enter Israel.

Ahead of the prayers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that only Muslim men over the age of 55 and women over 50, as well as children under 12, would be allowed. All needed to obtain a special permit and undergo screening in order to leave the West Bank and enter Israel.

The restrictions, which Israel says are for security and were similar to last year's during Ramadan, caused long waits and traffic at the main Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Still, according to Palestinian authorities, nearly 100,000 people attended Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

The restrictions, which Israel says are for security and were similar to last year's during Ramadan, caused long waits and traffic at the main Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Still, according to Palestinian authorities, nearly 100,000 people attended Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Israel said it had deployed thousands of police across Jerusalem to allow for freedom to worship safely. There were no serious incidents reported. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel said it had deployed thousands of police across Jerusalem to allow for freedom to worship safely. There were no serious incidents reported. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

The talks began as early as January and were over the release of several American-Israeli dual citizens taken hostage in the October 7th, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, according to a Hamas official who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as he's not authorized to speak to the media.

The talks began as early as January and were over the release of several American-Israeli dual citizens taken hostage in the October 7th, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, according to a Hamas official who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as he's not authorized to speak to the media.

The official did not specify if the talks, which were originally reported by Axios, were with members from the Biden administration or President Trump's administration. Both were present at talks for a ceasefire that took effect in January, before Trump took office. The U.S. designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997. It has been longstanding U.S.

The official did not specify if the talks, which were originally reported by Axios, were with members from the Biden administration or President Trump's administration. Both were present at talks for a ceasefire that took effect in January, before Trump took office. The U.S. designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997. It has been longstanding U.S.

policy to not negotiate with groups it designates as terrorists. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

policy to not negotiate with groups it designates as terrorists. Kat Lonsdorff, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

UNICEF says the stoppage of aid will, quote, quickly lead to devastating consequences. After more than 15 months of war, it left nearly 2 million people in severe need. It said the ceasefire that has been in effect for the past six weeks and the significant uptick in aid that had come with it was a, quote, critical lifeline, especially for children.

UNICEF says the stoppage of aid will, quote, quickly lead to devastating consequences. After more than 15 months of war, it left nearly 2 million people in severe need. It said the ceasefire that has been in effect for the past six weeks and the significant uptick in aid that had come with it was a, quote, critical lifeline, especially for children.

Other aid groups are also sounding the alarm, saying stopping aid violates international law. Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have condemned the move as well. The Israeli government is pushing a new plan for a ceasefire extension, which Hamas has not agreed to. The militant group has called the aid blockade, quote, cheap blackmail in an attempt to get it to agree. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Other aid groups are also sounding the alarm, saying stopping aid violates international law. Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have condemned the move as well. The Israeli government is pushing a new plan for a ceasefire extension, which Hamas has not agreed to. The militant group has called the aid blockade, quote, cheap blackmail in an attempt to get it to agree. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Egypt says that, quote, intensive discussions on the next stage of the ceasefire deal are underway. Israel confirmed it has sent a delegation to Cairo. Qatari officials are also present, mediating for Hamas, which says it remains committed to the deal. President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also expected in the region soon.