Hamas said on Sunday that it should publish the last American hostage living in Gaza, Edan Alexander, as part of the efforts to establish a cease-fire, reopen the passages in Israeli territory and resume the delivery of the aid.
President Donald Trump confirmed the news on Sunday evening in an article on his social media accounts that Hamas had agreed to release Alexander in what he called “a stage of good faith towards the United States”.
The announcement of the first release of hostages since Israel shattered a cease-fire in March came shortly before the visit to the Middle East of Trump this week.
This also suggests the will of the United States, the ally closest to Israel, to make efforts in the cease-fire talks aimed at putting an end to the 19-month war.
Trump, whose administration has expressed full support for Israel's actions, should visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (Water) this week in a regional tour.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has confirmed development, saying that the United States has informed him of Hamas' intention to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions” and that the stage should lead to negotiations on a truce.
Earlier this year, the Netanyahu government was irritated by Washington's direct talks with Hamas.
Alexander, the last one living us hostage with Hamas
Edan Alexander, 21, an Israeli-American soldier grew up in New Jersey and was removed from his base during the attack led by October 7, 2023 against Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.
It is expected in the United States in the next 48 hours, according to AP, citing an official of the nameless Hamas.
Hamas published a video of Alexandre last year in November at Thanksgiving.
According to her mother, Yael Alexander, the video was difficult to watch while he was crying and pleaded to get help, but it was a relief to see the last sign he was alive, she said.
Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff have frequently mentioned Alexandre, now aged 21, in recent months, while the talks led by the United States began to despair the hostage families and more than 2 million people from Gaza under the new Israeli blockade.
“Each time they say the name of Edan, it is as if they had not forgotten. They have not forgotten that he was American, and they work there,” his mother told the Associated Press earlier this year.
Hamas ready for negotiations
Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hayyah, a head of Hamas in Gaza, said that the group was in contact with the US administration in recent days and was ready for negotiations.
Al-Hayyah said in a statement that Hamas was ready to “immediately start intensive negotiations” to conclude a final agreement for a long-term truce, which includes the end of the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza and to give power to Gaza to an independent technocrats.
ADVERTISEMENTAccording to senior people in Hamas and Egypt, indirect talks between Hamas and the United States began last week. The talks aim to ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas and the end of the war in Gaza.
Fifty-nine hostages are still in Gaza, about a third of them who are alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefire agreements or other transactions.
According to the Families of the Hosts forum, a basic organization which represents the majority of hostage families, the liberation of Alexander “must mark the beginning of a complete agreement” which will release everyone.
