Hamas said on Sunday that it will free Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage in Gaza, as part of negotiations to achieve a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the resumption of deliveries of humanitarian aid. Although the militant group did not give a date, a source close to the matter said the release is to take place on Tuesday.
Alexander, 21-year-old Israeli-American serviceman, was kidnapped from his base in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that ignited the present war. His release is being packaged as a confidence-building gesture in advance of resuming ceasefire talks.
The release comes on the eve of US President Donald Trump’s Middle East trip this week, including visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates but not Israel. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayyah has said that the group has had communication with the US administration and is ready to initiate intensive negotiations toward the realization of a long-term ceasefire, which would involve an overall hostage-prisoner exchange and the transfer of Gaza’s administration to an autonomous technocratic institution.
US special envoy Adam Boehle greeted the decision, describing it as “a positive step forward,” and called on Hamas to release the remains of four other American citizens as well. He attributed the breakthrough in part to Trump’s visit to the region and the work of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff.
Israel has asserted that its Gaza offensive will keep going until all last hostages are let out and Hamas is disarmed. Hamas, meanwhile, demands that any future hostage releases are done within a full agreement putting an end to the war and guaranteeing Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Family of Alexander has yet to make a statement about the news. Hamas has already released 38 hostages since a temporary January ceasefire.
