The sudden release of Mofid Abdel Kader Mashaal, the brother of former Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal, from a U.S. prison has raised hopes that it could signal progress toward a potential hostage deal.

Mashaal, who was serving a 20-year sentence for financing Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation, was reportedly released after serving 16 years. According to Israeli media, he will spend the next year in a rehabilitation facility. The U.S. has not confirmed his release, but the news has been widely reported in Arab media.

The release comes amid ongoing talks surrounding a possible hostage agreement, fueling speculation that the two developments could be connected. Arab media also reported the sentences of four other American-Palestinians associated with the Holy Land Foundation have been significantly shortened.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced a historic clemency act, commuting sentences for 1,500 people and pardoning 39. It is unclear whether Mashaal’s release is related.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)