Hamas on Sunday said it was set to release the last living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander, as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory, and resume the delivery of aid.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the news late Sunday in a post on his social media accounts that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander in what he called "a step taken in good faith towards the United States."
The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week.
It also suggests the willingness of the US, Israel’s closest ally, to push more efforts into ceasefire talks aimed at bringing to an end the 19-month-old war.
Trump, whose administration expresses complete support for Israel's actions, is scheduled to embark on a regional tour this week that will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the development on Hamas' proposed hostage release, saying the US informed it of the group's intent to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions.”
He added that the step is expected to lead to negotiations on a truce.
Earlier this year, the Netanyahu government was angered by Washington's direct talks with Hamas.
Alexander, the last living US hostage with Hamas
Edan Alexander, 21, an Israeli-American soldier, grew up in New Jersey and was abducted from his base during the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited the war in Gaza.
He is expected back in the US within the next 48 hours, according to AP, quoting an unnamed Hamas official.
Hamas released a video of Alexander last year in November during Thanksgiving.
According to his mother, Yael Alexander, the video was difficult to watch as he cried and pleaded for help, but it was a relief to see the latest sign that he was alive, she said.
Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff have frequently mentioned Alexander, now 21, by name in the past few months as US-led talks began amid desperation among hostages’ families and Gaza’s over 2 million people under the new Israeli blockade.
“Every time they say Edan’s name, it’s like they didn’t forget. They didn’t forget he’s American, and they’re working on it,” his mother told The Associated Press earlier this year.
Hamas says it is ready for negotiations
Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days and was ready for negotiations.
Al-Hayyah said in a statement that Hamas is ready to “immediately start intensive negotiations” to reach a final deal for a long-term truce, which includes an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza and the handing over of power in Gaza to an independent body of technocrats.
According to senior officials from Hamas and Egypt, indirect talks between Hamas and the US began last week. The talks aim at securing the release of hostages being held by Hamas and an end to the war in Gaza.
Fifty-nine hostages are still in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be alive. Most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.
According to the Hostages Families Forum, a grassroots organisation that represents the majority of hostage families, Alexander's release "must mark the beginning of a comprehensive agreement" that will set everyone free.
