Hamas has released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday, the group said, paving the way for a possible return to ceasefire talks for the war-torn enclave.
The Palestinian militant group said it is ready to be involved in negotiations to reach a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement.
The Hamas statement did not indicate when the 21-year-old Alexander would be released, but it is thought to be in the coming 48 hours. Israeli media reported that US envoy Steve Witkoff will be in Israel on Monday as part of the deal.
The announcement comes shortly before US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week – which does not include a trip to Israel. Trump and Witkoff have frequently mentioned Alexander by name in the past few months.
Witkoff later confirmed Hamas had agreed to release Alexander in the hopes of restarting ceasefire talks.
Alexander, who grew up in the US, was taken from his military base during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack.
In its statement on Sunday, Hamas said it was willing to “immediately begin intensive negotiations” that could lead to an agreement to end the war and would see Gaza under a technocratic and independent administration.
“This will ensure calm and stability for many years, along with reconstruction and the end of the blockade,” the group said.
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