March 9, 2025 (EIRNS)—Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas political adviser, told Reuters that the group has engaged in direct talks with U.S. officials in Qatar over the recent days. “Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners. We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people,” Al-Nono said.
The prisoner in question is Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old from New Jersey who was serving in the IDF at the time of his capture by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Alexander is believed to be the last living American citizen held hostage. Steve Witkoff told reporters last week that Alexander’s release is a “top priority for us.”
“We informed the American delegation that we don’t oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks,” Al-Nono told Reuters.
