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Hamas Agrees to Release U.S.-Israeli Hostage and Four Bodies Amid Ceasefire Talks
The militant group Hamas has announced its acceptance of a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four other dual-national hostages who died in captivity. The announcement comes as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha, Qatar.
Hamas identified the hostage to be released as Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier. However, the group did not specify when the release would take place or provide details on the condition of the bodies. Other parties involved in the negotiations have not yet confirmed Hamas’ statement.
Ceasefire Talks and Sticking Points
The negotiations in Doha aim to secure the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, after the first phase ended two weeks ago. Israel is urging Hamas to extend the first-phase ceasefire, while Hamas insists on moving forward to the next stage, which would involve releasing the remaining hostages in Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
In a statement, Hamas official Husam Badran reiterated the group’s commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement but warned that any Israeli deviation from the terms would reset negotiations.
Background: The War in Gaza
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,100 people and taking approximately 250 hostages back to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military operation that has caused widespread destruction.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, though this figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The United Nations estimates that 69% of structures in Gaza have been destroyed, including at least 245,000 homes.
The Ceasefire Agreement
After weeks of U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediation, Israel and Hamas agreed to a three-phase ceasefire deal. The first phase, which began on January 19, lasted six weeks and saw Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase of the agreement was supposed to begin two weeks into phase one, but negotiations remain stalled. The latest development—Hamas’ pledge to release one hostage and four bodies—could be a step toward resuming discussions on implementing the next stage of the ceasefire.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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