In a significant development, Hamas announced on Sunday its plan to release Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander from the Gaza Strip. This move is part of ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into the region.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and head of the group’s negotiating team, issued a statement highlighting recent communications with the U.S. administration. “We have shown great positivity toward mediation efforts,” he stated. “As part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the movement will release Edan Alexander.”
Al-Hayya added that Hamas is prepared to engage in intensive negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, reaching a prisoner exchange deal, and establishing an independent, professional body to govern the Gaza Strip. Suhail al-Hindi, another senior Hamas official, informed Xinhua News Agency that the release is expected within 48 hours.
Alexander, 18, is believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza. The United States has informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release Alexander “without any compensation or conditions,” viewing it as a goodwill gesture that could pave the way for broader negotiations.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the U.S. communication, noting that the move is expected to lead to negotiations based on the original Witkoff framework, which Israel has already accepted. The U.S.-backed plan proposes a phased release of hostages in return for an extended ceasefire.
The release, potentially set for Tuesday, would mark the first time a hostage is freed without being part of a prisoner exchange. Israel estimates that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 21 believed to be alive. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 52,800 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict since October 2023.
Israel is preparing for the possibility of additional releases but reaffirmed its stance that negotiations will take place “under fire,” aligning with its wartime policy and military objectives in Gaza.
The unfolding situation holds significant implications for the region, with many hoping that Alexander’s release could serve as a catalyst for a lasting ceasefire and the introduction of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
