The last American hostage, Edan Alexander, held by Hamas, is likely to be released on Monday, as reported by a Hamas official to the Associated Press.
The official, who requested anonymity due to media restrictions, shared details on the situation.
According to Hamas, they were encouraged by the US and designated terrorist groups to provide President Trump with a “gift,” suggesting that something more favorable would follow.
Trump confirmed on Sunday that Alexander, who holds dual citizenship in New Jersey and Israel, will “return to his family.”
He characterized the upcoming release as a “good faith” act towards the US, as well as mediators from Qatar and Egypt.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the US informed Israel about Hamas’ plan to release Alexander as a gesture for the Americans, possibly without conditions.
The statement continued, mentioning that the US expects this to initiate negotiations for the release of other hostages, aligning with the framework of a previous proposal accepted by Israel from Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkov.
Khalil al-Heyya, a Hamas leader in Gaza, indicated that the group is willing to “begin intensive negotiations soon” for a long-term ceasefire, which would involve ending the conflict, exchanging Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza, and transferring Gaza’s governance to independent technocrats.
Both Egyptian and Hamas officials noted that indirect talks between the US and Hamas had started five days ago, viewing Alexander’s release as a goodwill gesture.
