Hamas to release the US-Israeli hostage agent Edan Alexander as part of the efforts to reach Gaza’s ceasefires

Hamas says it will release the Israeli American hostage player Edan Alexander as part of the efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

The 21-year-old soldier is the last living hostage with the American nationality that is held on the territory.

It is after a high Hamas officer told the BBC that the Palestinian armed group held direct negotiations with an American administration officer in Qatar. The official said that conversations had been going on for a few days and were aimed at securing a truce and facilitating the access of humanitarian aid.

The office of the Israeli Prime Minister said it was informed by the US about the intention of Hamas to release Alexander.

A senior Palestinian official who was familiar with the negotiations told the BBC that the announcement of Hamas was intended as a goodwill -gesture before President Donald Trump arrives in the middle on Tuesday.

He said that another meeting between Hamas and the mediators was planned for early Monday morning to complete Edan’s release, for which a temporary stopping would require the Israeli military activity and a suspension of air surgery during the transfer.

Alexander, born in Tel Aviv, but raised in New Jersey, served in an elite infantry unit on the border with Gaza when he was captured by Hamas militants during the attack of 7 October.

Of the 251 hostages taken during the attack of Hamas 2023, 59 remain in the enclave, of whom a maximum of 24 is supposed to live. Five of the hostages in Gaza is considered American citizens and Alexander was considered the only one who was still alive.

In his explanation, Hamas said that the release was part of efforts to reach a cease -the fire, and allow food, medicines and other supplies in Gaza -which was under a complete blockade by Israel for 70 days. The group said it wanted to reach a definitive agreement to end the war.

The office of the Israeli Prime Minister said in a statement that it was informed by the US about Hamas’ intention to release Alexander “as a gesture towards the Americans” and that the move was expected to lead to negotiations on further hostages.

Israel’s policy was that negotiations would be carried out “under fire, based on the dedication to achieve all the objectives of the war,” it added.

The Families and Missing Families Forum Campaign Group said that the release of Alexander “should mark the start of an extensive agreement that will guarantee the freedom of all remaining hostages”.

They said that President Trump “had given the families of all hostages” and urged Netanyahu to now “bring everyone back”.

In the past, Hamas has said that it will only agree to a deal with the end of the war, something that was repeatedly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The conversations between Hamas and the US take place in the midst of several reports that suggest that growing frustration in the Trump government with the position of Netanyahu. The prime minister is also under pressure at home, where many accuse him of renewing the war for political purposes.

President Donald Trump arrives in the middle on Tuesday and Israel has sworn to expand his military offensive against Hamas if no deal is reached towards the end of his visit.

Israeli officials have said that the plans for their extensive offensive include the seizure of all the territory for an indefinite period of time, with violence from Palestinians to the south and taking over auxiliary distribution with private companies despite protests from the UN and its humanitarian partners.

Israel has already blocked the access of all food, medication and other humanitarian stocks to Gaza for 70 days and have been renewed air bombing and other military operations there in mid-March, which have since killed 2,720 Palestinians according to the Hamas-Raunde Health Minister.

Since the start of the year, according to the UN, around 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition have been identified in children. Food prices have risen by 1400%.

The war was activated by the attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and hostage more than 250. About 59 are still being imprisoned, of whom a maximum of 24 is supposed to live.

According to the Hamas-Runned Health Minister, the Israel’s military campaign killed 52,829 people in Gaza.