The father of a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza remains hopeful that his son is still alive after Hamas said it could not account for his status. Adi Alexander called on the United States to engage in direct talks to free the remaining hostages abducted during the attack launched by Hamas two years ago. Hamas had previously agreed to release Edan Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage, as well as the bodies of four other Americans. The armed wing of Hamas said it did not know the fate of Alexander, after noting that the guard holding him was killed.