CNN March 7, 2025
Since the October 7 terror attack, Israel has refused to hold direct talks with Hamas and vowed to eliminate the group.

Following news of the talks between and U.S. and the militant group, Israel said it “expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas” without saying what its position was.

Masri said that Hamas wanted to resolve the issue of American-Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for the start of negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire, in which the remaining live hostages would be released in return for a sustainable end to the fighting.

Only one living American hostage, Edan Alexander, is believed to remain in Gaza. The group also holds four dead Americans.
At least 12 dual U.S.-Israelis are thought to have been captured on October 7

He said that Trump “speaks about Israeli prisoners, who are only a few dozen, while ignoring the nearly 10,000 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.”
1. Israeli prisoners -- innocent civilians
2. Palestinian detainees -- terrorists

Israel has been pushing Hamas to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire and release more hostages without providing any firm commitment to withdraw its forces and move to ending the war.