Hamas says it will only release American-Israeli hostage if ceasefire deal is implemented

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The Palestinian militant group Hamas will release an American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel abides by the ceasefire agreement.

This is according to the Associated Press based on the remarks of a senior Hamas official who also called for talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal to start on the day of this release and to last a maximum of 50 days.

He further demanded Israel allow essential aid to flow into Gaza and to retreat from the Rafah crossing.