Hamas signals release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander

By
EDGARDO HERNAL
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CAIRO. A senior Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday that Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will soon be released in Gaza, a move that key mediators Qatar and Egypt hailed as a positive development toward reviving stalled ceasefire talks in the war-ravaged enclave.

While Hamas gave no specific timeline, a source familiar with the matter said the release of Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier born and raised in New Jersey, could take place as early as Tuesday.

Hamas said the move is part of a broader effort to reach a ceasefire deal and allow the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. Alexander is believed to be the last surviving American hostage held by the militant group.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to visit the Middle East this week, welcomed the development. His special envoy, Adam Boehler, described the anticipated release as “a positive step forward,” adding, “We would also ask that Hamas release the bodies of four other Americans that were taken.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed gratitude to all parties involved:
“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,” he wrote.

The war in Gaza began after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military operation that has killed over 52,800 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. The offensive has devastated the Gaza Strip and left its 2.3 million residents dependent on aid, which has dwindled due to a blockade imposed by Israel in March.

In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt described Hamas’ decision to release Alexander as “encouraging” and signaled their intent, along with the United States, to push for a renewed ceasefire and improved humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Exiled Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said efforts to facilitate Alexander’s release were coordinated by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
“The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed-upon manner,” Hayya said.

A source briefed on the negotiations told Reuters that direct talks involving officials from the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas led to the breakthrough.

Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a closed-door session with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, indicated that Hamas may release Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward Trump. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the U.S. informed Israel that Alexander’s release could pave the way for broader negotiations over remaining hostages.

Israel’s military campaign resumed in March after Hamas rejected a proposal to extend a previous ceasefire that had enabled the release of 38 hostages. Israeli forces have since continued their ground and aerial assault, asserting that operations will persist until all hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarized.

Hamas, meanwhile, has maintained that any further releases will only happen within the framework of a deal to end the war and has rejected Israel’s demands to disarm.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson reiterated Washington’s stance that Hamas is solely responsible for both the ongoing conflict and the failure to maintain the ceasefire.

Author profile

Edgaroo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.

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