Hamas to release Israeli-American hostage in bid to secure Gaza ceasefire

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Hamas said on Sunday that it would issue an Israeli -American hostage held in Gaza as a good -intention gesture to Donald Trump, before the Middle East visit this week by the US president.

Hamas leader Khalil Al -Hayya said that the move to release Edin Alexander was taken after talks with US officials, as the Palestinian militant group showed a “high level of positivity” in an attempt to secure the ceasefire with Israel and end the war in Gaza.

Haya added that Alexander “will be released as part of the steps that are taken to achieve a ceasefire … and allow the entry of humanitarian aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip.”

In a post on social media, Trump said: “This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the intermediaries – Qatar and Egypt – to put an end to this very brutal war, restore all living hostages and staying to their loved ones.”

A US official said that Alexander could be released after Monday, and a diplomat confirmed his informing talks with Hamas agreed to release him after America participated directly with the militant group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel was informed of the release of the United States, and there were no “conditions or anything in return.”

The diplomat, who was briefed on the talks, confirmed that the planned liberation of Alexander was not yet part of the ceasefire deal on a wider scale with Israel, and that the Israelis were not expected to be released from the Palestinian prisoners who kept it in his prisons in return.

But it was expected that Israel would stop its attack in Gaza during the issuance, as the mediators continue to efforts to avoid the new ceasefire agreement.

The previous deal collapsed in March after Netanyahu ordered the re -operational of the Israeli Defense Forces attack in Gaza in an attempt to pressure Hamas to launch the hostages it carried. Israel also cut all aid to Gaza, which increased a humanitarian crisis in the region.

Alexander, 21, was seized by Hamas while he was serving in the Israeli army during the group’s cross -border attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the war.

Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israel that day, and took 250 other hostages, according to Israeli officials. Hamas -controlled officials said.

A total of 59 hostages still maintains Hamas, and Israel believes more than half of them by Israel, including four Israeli dual citizens. Alexander is believed to be the last Israeli -American neighborhood kept by Hamas.

Adam Balller, the US special envoy for the hostage response, said that the planned release of Alexander was the result of a “tremendous effort from the United States” and that “President Trump was traveling to the region and wanted to accomplish it.” He added that Alexander will be released on Monday.

“It is a positive step forward and we also ask that the enthusiasm of the bodies of four other Americans who have been captured,” said Bouhler.

Trump is expected to start a multiple visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar this week.

The Egyptian intermediaries and Qataris have been trying for weeks to revive the parked talks between Israel and Hamas, and to secure a new ceasefire.

Netanyahu continuously refused to meet the basic demand for Hamas to end the war against all the remaining hostages, and instead calms down last week to expand the military campaign in Gaza until the group was completely defeated.

The Israeli Prime Minister said earlier this month that while the hostages were brought to the house it was a “very important target” in the war, “the ultimate goal is to victory over our enemies.”

In his statement on Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed that the release of the United States expected to release Alexander to renew the ceasefire talks, although he insisted again that any deal will only be a multiple temporary truce for weeks that had the launch of more hostages who are still alive.

Israeli officials said last week that the end of Trump’s regional visit provided “a window of opportunity” to Hamas to issue more hostages before Israel expanded its new attack in Gaza.

This could include control of all over the Israeli Defense Army for all Gaza and paid many of its people 2.2 million in a slice of land in the southern region.

On Sunday, Netanyahu said: “The negotiations will be held under fire, based on the commitment to achieving all the goals of the war,” Netanyahu said on Sunday.