Hamas said it is prepared to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.

As Hamas on Friday offered to release American Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the remains of four other hostages held in Gaza, Israel's prime minister called it psychological manipulation.

Hamas says it is taking action after being contacted by mediators about negotiations for the second phase of a peace deal.

Political adviser to terror group's leader says Hamas not opposed to releasing soldier; Hamas spokesman rejects extension of original deal's first phase

Hamas said it had made the offer to release New Jersey native Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army, and hand over bodies of four other dual national hostages, after receiving a proposal from mediators for negotiations on the stalled second phase of a ceasefire deal.

The militant group did not immediately specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would take place.

Hamas said on Friday it agreed to release an American-Israeli dual national, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, after receiving a proposal from mediators to continue negotiations on the second phase of a ceasefire deal.

Hamas said Saturday it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement, calling it an “exceptional deal” aimed at getting