Hamas on Sunday announced the imminent release of Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held in Gaza since the October 7 attack, amid signs of renewed diplomatic engagement involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Khalil Al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’ negotiating team, said the group had recently engaged in “positive” discussions with the US administration. “The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations, and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to stop the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed manner, and manage the Gaza Strip by an independent professional body,” he said in a statement.
The release of Alexander, 19, who was serving in the Israeli military at the time of his abduction, is expected to take place early this week, possibly as soon as Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move is being described as a goodwill gesture from Hamas and is not conditioned on the release of any Palestinian prisoners.
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it had been notified by Washington of Hamas’ intention to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions.” However, the office said ongoing negotiations for additional hostages would “take place under fire,” indicating Israel’s military operations in Gaza are set to continue.
The announcement came as humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorate rapidly. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, emergency medical supplies are near depletion, with 43 per cent of essential drugs now out of stock. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned on Friday that it had run out of flour and food parcels, and that clean water and fuel supplies were also critically low.
Former US President Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly played a key role in the negotiations, celebrated the announcement on his Truth Social platform, calling it “monumental news” and a “step taken in good faith toward the United States.” Trump further urged that all living hostages and the remains of the deceased be returned to their families.
Alexander’s parents, Adi and Yael, described the news on Mother’s Day as “the greatest gift imaginable” and expressed gratitude to Trump, Witkoff, and other members of the US administration for their “tireless work.”
Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv on Monday ahead of the release. Speaking to CNN, he confirmed that the talks with Hamas had been indirect. Adam Boehler, the US Special Envoy for Hostage Response, will accompany the Alexanders to Israel. Boehler emphasized that Trump had made Edan Alexander’s release a central focus and reiterated the administration’s commitment to securing the return of all US hostages and remains.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi confirmed to the group’s Al Aqsa TV that the release came following direct negotiations with the US, aimed at restarting humanitarian aid flows into Gaza. This position was echoed in a joint statement by Qatar and Egypt, which called the release “an encouraging step” towards a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
In Israel, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the development but stressed that it must not be a standalone move. “Prime Minister Netanyahu must immediately fulfill the supreme moral obligation – and the demand of the vast majority of the Israeli public – to bring everyone back,” the group said. “President Trump, you’ve given the families of all the hostages hope. Please, complete your mission and bring them all home.”
Alexander is one of 59 hostages believed to still be held in Gaza. Last week, Trump had claimed only 21 of them were still alive, a figure lower than Israel’s official count of 24. The discrepancy led to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledging uncertainty about the fate of three hostages.
Among the deceased American hostages are Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, a married couple, as well as soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
In a weekend interview, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the return of American hostages remains “the highest priority that the president has as it related to this country.”
Despite the planned release, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The World Central Kitchen, a major provider of food aid, said on Friday that its teams in Gaza can no longer cook meals or bake bread due to resource shortages, and are now focusing on expanding access to clean water.
While the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the planned release, it made no reference to the resumption of aid flows into Gaza, which remains under a strict Israeli blockade more than two months after the latest round of hostilities began.
