Four American citizens could be included in a hostage release deal currently being negotiated between Israel and Hamas.

According to London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Hamas has provided Israeli negotiators with a comprehensive list of hostages and their medical conditions as part of the proposed agreement. Sources close to the negotiations revealed that dedicated teams from Egypt, Israel, and Hamas are engaged in intensive discussions, with multiple international mediators expressing optimism about the potential breakthrough.

Three American citizens – Edan Alexander, Keith Siegel, and Sagui Dekel-Chen – remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Four other American citizens – Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judi Weinstein Haggai, and Omer Neutra – were killed during the October 7 attack, with their bodies still being held by Hamas.

The proposed agreement’s first phase would span 60 days, during which humanitarian aid including food, medicine, and fuel would flow into Gaza. Notably, the potential inclusion of four U.S. citizens in the release marks a significant development, as these hostages reportedly fall outside the original criteria for the initial “humanitarian” phase of releases.

Israel believes 96 of the 251 people kidnapped during the October 7 massacre remain in Gaza, with at least 34 confirmed deceased. Over the past 14 months, Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages and recovered 38 bodies.

A Hamas official, speaking to Palestinian news network Quds Fares, signaled the terror organization’s openness to new proposals. The official also expressed hope for the establishment of a committee to manage the Gaza Strip after the war, pending approval from Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier this month, Hamas and the PA signed a preliminary document outlining the creation of a unified committee to oversee post-war Gaza. The proposed body would consist of 10-15 senior Arab officials responsible for managing essential services including healthcare, economic affairs, agriculture, and infrastructure.