Hamas to release Israeli-US hostage under Gaza ceasefire efforts

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will soon be released in Gaza, a senior Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday, a move key Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt described as an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire talks.

The senior Hamas official did not specify a time for the release of Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli Army who was born and raised in New Jersey, but a source familiar with the matter told Reuters it would likely happen on Tuesday.

Freeing Alexander, believed to be the last surviving American hostage held by Hamas, is part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, Hamas said.

US President Donald Trump will visit the Middle East this week. His special envoy Adam Boehler said news of Alexander's release was a positive step forward.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was grateful to all those involved. "This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators - Qatar and Egypt - to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones," Trump said.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken hostage into Gaza in the deadliest day for Israel in its history.

The campaign has killed more than 52,800 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, and has devastated the Gaza Strip, leaving its 2.3 million population depending on aid supplies that have been dwindling rapidly since Israel imposed a blockade in March.

In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt said Hamas' agreement to free Alexander was an "encouraging" step towards the warring parties returning to Gaza ceasefire talks, which have stalled since March.

The two countries said they would pursue their efforts, along with the United States, to improve the conditions in Gaza, reaching out for a permanent ceasefire and end to the war.

Exiled Gaza Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya said efforts to facilitate Alexander's release have been jointly carried out by Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. "The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed-upon manner," Hayya said.

Direct four-way talks that led to the release were held between officials from the US, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas, a source briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.

Israeli media reported on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a closed session of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that Hamas could soon release Alexander as a goodwill gesture towards Trump.

Hamas had released 38 hostages under a ceasefire that began on January 19. In March, Israel's military resumed its ground and aerial offensive on Gaza, abandoning the ceasefire after Hamas rejected proposals to extend the truce without ending the war.

Israeli officials said that offensive will continue until the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarized. Hamas insists it will free hostages only as part of a deal to end the war and has rejected demands to lay down its arms.

Israel, which is in control of around a third of Gaza's territory, said in May it will expand its Gaza offensive.