Hamas to free Israeli-U.S. hostage to secure ceasefire, reopen crossings

Hamas said on Sunday it will release Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander from the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen border crossings for aid delivery.

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and head of the group's negotiating team, said in a statement that Hamas had been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days and had shown "great positivity" toward mediation efforts.

"As part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the movement will release Edan Alexander," al-Hayya said.

He added that Hamas is prepared to begin intensive negotiations immediately and engage seriously in talks aimed at ending the war, reaching a prisoner exchange deal, and establishing an independent, professional body to govern the Gaza Strip.

Suhail al-Hindi, a senior official of Hamas, told Xinhua News Agency that the release would be within 48 hours.

Alexander, 18, is believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza.

A temporary ceasefire was reached in January, allowing for the release of some hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid during an initial six-week phase. However, talks collapsed after the first phase ended on March 1, halting both the prisoner exchange and aid deliveries.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms that the United States has informed Israel that Hamas will release Alexander "without any compensation or conditions," in what Washington described as a goodwill gesture expected to pave the way for broader negotiations.

The release, possibly set for Tuesday, would be the first not tied to the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.

"The United States conveyed to Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations based on the original Witkoff framework, which Israel has already accepted," Netanyahu's office said, referring to a U.S.-backed plan proposing a phased release of hostages in return for an extended ceasefire.

The Witkoff plan, unveiled in March, envisions the release of roughly half of the surviving hostages in exchange for a 50-day truce and subsequent talks. It does not include Hamas's demands for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza or the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel said it was preparing for the possibility of additional releases but reaffirmed that negotiations would take place "under fire," consistent with its wartime policy and ongoing military objectives in Gaza.

Israel estimates 59 hostages remain in Gaza, at least 21 of whom are believed to be alive. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 52,800 people have been killed in Israel's military campaign since October 2023.

(With input from Xinhua)