Hamas said that it will release Edan Alexander - the last living American hostage in Gaza - as part of direct talks with the United States while working towards a ceasefire.
Hamas said in a statement on Sunday, “Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of the steps taken towards a ceasefire, reopen the crossings, and deliver aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas said that it will release Edan Alexander - the last living American hostage in Gaza - as part of direct talks with the United States while working towards a ceasefire.
Hamas said in a statement on Sunday, “Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of the steps taken towards a ceasefire, reopen the crossings, and deliver aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip,” Al Jazeera reported.
The release comes as US President Donald Trump is set to visit the Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE on Tuesday, while Gaza enters into the 71st day of Israeli blockade.
Steve Witkoff, the American Middle East envoy, is also traveling to Israel from Oman today.
21-year-old Alexander was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey. On October 7, 2023, he was serving in an elite infantry unit bordering Gaza. He was taken hostage by Hamas militants during the attack.
Hamas took 251 hostages in the 2023 attack, of which 59 remain in the enclave, according to BBC. 24 are believed to be alive, of which five hostages are believed to be US citizens. Alexander is thought to be the only one who remains alive currently.
Alexander's family expressed gratitude towards Trump, Witkoff and the US administration for bringing about this deal. They said it was “the greatest gift imaginable - news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza. We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop.
We hope our son's release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families. No hostage should be left behind," BBC quoted.
After Hamas’ declaration, Egypt and Qatar released a joint statement that Hamas’ declaration to release the American hostage was an "encouraging step toward a return to the negotiating table".
Israel라이브 바카라 Prime Minister's office said that the release does not mean that it is committed to any ceasefire but only to a "safe corridor" for release, adding that Alexander is being released because of Israel라이브 바카라 military pressure on Hamas.
As per Al Jazeera라이브 바카라 latest tally, the death toll stands at 62,614 Palestinians and 1,139 people killed in Israel since October 7, 2023.
Remains of 76% of the Palestinians killed in the conflict have been recovered but about 14,222 people are still believed to be under the rubble.
In terms of devastation, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization and the Palestinian government as of January 15, Israeli attacks have damaged almost all of Gaza라이브 바카라 homes, 80% of commercial facilities, 50% of hospitals and 88% of school buildings, Al Jazeera reported.