Hamas said it is prepared to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.

Hamas said Saturday it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement, calling it an ''exceptional deal'' aimed at getting the truce back on track.

Israel is making plans for a potential major ground offensive in Gaza that would involve sending tens of thousands of troops into combat to clear and occupy large swaths of the enclave, an Israeli official and a second source familiar with the matter said.

Israel said it has targeted prominent members of Hamas in recent days, including the group’s new prime minister in a “precise strike” on where he was operating within Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex.

Israel’s political and military leaders are considering plans for a fresh ground campaign that could include a military occupation of Gaza for months or more.