Richard Engel of NBC News, appearing on MSNBC, reports that a Hamas spokesman appeared in a video saying Hamas will release all 200+ Israeli and foreign hostages will be released when “field conditions are right.” The video has not yet been authenticated by Israeli or US officials, but Engel reports Hamas officials he’s spoken to have verified the offer.
The offer may be an effort to fend off a pending invasion of Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces, which have conducted scout and reconnaissance missions in the area. Hamas may also be attempting to placate the Biden Administration, which has positioned to US aircraft carrier attack groups in the eastern Mediterranean.
Update 8:04 p.m. ET: The offer from Hamas covers only non-Israeli hostages.