Hamas Announces Planned Release of Last US Hostage in Gaza

Hamas has announced it will release Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage held in Gaza, as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations and efforts to reopen crossings and deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded territory. Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier abducted during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, is expected to be freed imminently following intense negotiations involving the United States, with his release seen as a goodwill gesture linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East visit. Senior Hamas officials, including Khalil al-Hayyah, have expressed readiness for further negotiations aimed at a long-term truce, prisoner exchanges, and the establishment of an independent governing body in Gaza. The move follows direct talks between Hamas and the U.S., mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, with Hamas describing the discussions as positive and emphasizing the release as a step toward ending the war. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has not immediately responded to the announcement and was previously angered by U.S. direct talks with Hamas. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire amid an Israeli blockade since March, which has severely restricted aid and supplies to the enclave's population of over two million.