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. He called on the United States to engage in direct talks to free the remaining hostages. Hamas had previously agreed to release the hostage and the bodies of four other Americans, but now says it does not know the fate of the hostage. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be still alive.