Presented by GE Aerospace — Hamas said Friday it agreed to release U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other Americans, following a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations with Israel over a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.{beacon} Defense &National Securi ty Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Hamas agrees to restart Gaza ceasefire talksHamas said Friday it agreed to release U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other Americans, following a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations with Israel over a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.© AP Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s envoy for negotiations, presented the proposal, which reportedly includes Israel lifting a blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Strip.   A source familiar with the negotiations told CNN the Witkoff proposal includes a monthlong ceasefire to secure the release of a handful of alive hostages. The exact number of living hostages to be released and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are part of ongoing negotiations.  The ceasefire extension would run until the end of Passover on April 20, and renew humanitarian aid deliveries through the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  Israel accepted the framework but is convening a Saturday night meeting to receive a detailed report from negotiators before deciding on the next steps for the release of the hostages, according to a statement from the office of the Israeli prime minister. Hamas holds 59 hostages, about half of whom are believed to be alive. The group kidnapped them from southern Israel as part of its attack launched Oct. 7, 2023, when it killed about 1,200 people.  The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has pushed for an immediate and comprehensive deal to secure the release of all the hostages. Hamas released dozens of hostages as part of a first-phase ceasefire deal that went into effect Jan. 19, and those released described being held in tunnels, chained, tortured and starved.   “We know from our loved ones who were released about the horrific conditions those still in captivity endure. Without a comprehensive deal, we risk sealing the fate of all remaining hostages,” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement Friday.  Read the full report at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: Pentagon chief orders review of fitness, grooming standards Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of military standards related to physical fitness and appearance across all services, indicating recent policies put in place to make it easier for women and minorities to serve may soon be under fire. Hegseth ordered the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness “to gather the existing standards set by the Military Departments pertaining to physical fitness, …  Full Story   Gabbard vows to ‘aggressively pursue’ intel leakersDirector of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the Trump administration would be “aggressively pursuing” people who leak information to journalists, accusing those sharing such information of being “politically motivated.” “Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not …  Full Story   Burn pit fund for veterans on chopping block in GOP spending bill Democratic lawmakers and veterans’ groups are fuming over a provision in a stopgap federal spending bill passed by House Republicans this week that would cut a Department of Veteran Affairs fund meant to cover costs for illnesses linked to military burn pits and other chemical exposure. The six-month government spending package, which largely holds federal spending at fiscal year 2024 levels, would cut the Toxic Exposures Fund …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  Secretary of State Marco Rubio today wrapped up his trip to a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies in Québec.  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill:ACLU releases video of Mahmoud Khalil’s ICE arrest The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Friday released the full video of Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest last weekend as outrage grows over his detention by immigration officials.  Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement … Full Story   On Tap Monday  Events in and around the defense world:  Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies will hold a discussion on “The Future of Ukraine and the Future of NATO” at 1:30 p.m.  What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Navy details separation process for transgender personnel (Military Times) Veterans protest Trump administration's slashing of federal government (Military.com) 'Maximum pressure': U.S. and Canada's clash over tariffs overshadows G7 meeting (NBC News) Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Live updates: Senate averts government shutdown; Trump lays out plan for DOJ The Senate on Friday voted to avert a government shutdown, just hours before the midnight deadline. The stopgap funding bill bill, which narrowly passed … Read more Senate votes to avoid government shutdown The Senate voted mostly along party lines Friday afternoon to pass the House Republican-drafted bill to fund government through September, avoiding … Read more  Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: America needs a national economic security strategy to counter China’s riseAmerica is breaking its own maritime law — and China knows it In Ukraine, it’s Putin’s way or the highway   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Defense page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view all our topical emails here 📩 Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Subscribe ...read more read less