Hamas to release the last living US hostage in Gaza
Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander is expected to be released by Hamas in what mediators describe as an encouraging step towards ceasefire talks.
Hamas says the last living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander, will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory and resume aid deliveries.
Two Hamas officials told The Associated Press they expect the release in the next 48 hours.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Hamas had agreed to release Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward Trump.
The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes shortly before Trump visits the Middle East this week.
“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 on his social media platform Truth Social.
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“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”
Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who was abducted from his base during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that ignited the war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the US informed it of Hamas’ intent to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions” and the step is expected to lead to negotiations on a truce.
Netanyahu’s government was angered by US direct talks with Hamas earlier in 2025, which led to a Hamas offer to release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel recommitted to a stalled ceasefire deal. Days later, however, Israel resumed the war.
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Witkoff told the AP that Hamas’ goal in releasing Alexander was to restart talks on a ceasefire, the release of additional hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza before Israel carries out a threatened total takeover of the territory.
Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days.
Al-Hayyah said in a statement 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.
Indirect talks between Hamas and the US began five days ago, an Egyptian official and a senior Hamas official told the AP, with both describing the release of Alexander as a gesture of goodwill.
The senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said Alexander is expected to be released on Monday.
Hamas was advised to “give a gift to President Trump and in return he will give back a better one”, the official said.
Another Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss negotiations, said Alexander’s release is expected in the next 48 hours, adding that it requires Israel to pause fighting for a couple of hours.
Israeli strikes over Saturday night and into Sunday killed 15 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to local health officials.
Israel has sealed Gaza off from all imports, including food, medicine and emergency shelter, for more than 10 weeks in what it says is a pressure tactic aimed at forcing Hamas to release hostages.
Aid groups say the humanitarian crisis is worse than at any time in the war, with food running low.
