Trump Envoy Confirms Hamas Imminent Release of Edan Alexander/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza, as a goodwill gesture. The move is tied to renewed ceasefire efforts involving U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Egypt, and Qatar. The release is expected within 48 hours and could reopen the door to truce negotiations.
Hamas to Release Last U.S. Hostage – Quick Looks
- Hamas agrees to release Edan Alexander in Gaza.
- Trump’s envoy confirms release tied to ceasefire talks.
- Negotiations facilitated by Egypt and Qatar underway.
- Release expected within 48 hours; pause in fighting required.
- Hamas seeks broader prisoner exchange and end to war.
- Gaza sees intensified Israeli strikes as humanitarian crisis deepens.
- Israel recovers remains of soldier missing since 1982.
Trump Envoy Confirms Hamas Imminent Release of Edan Alexander
Deep Look
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage held in Gaza, within 48 hours, according to Hamas officials and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. The move, described as a gesture of goodwill toward U.S. President Donald Trump, may revive long-stalled ceasefire talks in the 19-month-long Gaza war.
Alexander, a dual Israeli-American citizen and soldier abducted in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, has become a focal point in U.S. diplomatic efforts. Trump confirmed the impending release in a statement on Truth Social, expressing hope that it will mark the beginning of the end to the devastating conflict. “Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict,” he posted.
The timing of this announcement coincides with Trump’s upcoming diplomatic tour of the Middle East, where he plans to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Trump’s envoy, real estate executive Steve Witkoff, confirmed the deal to the Associated Press late Sunday. He said it was intended to unlock negotiations over a broader ceasefire, a larger release of hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the United States had informed it of Hamas’ intention to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions.” Israeli officials, who previously expressed anger over the U.S.’s direct communication with Hamas, now see this as an opportunity to reengage in truce discussions.
Khalil al-Hayyah, a senior Hamas figure in Gaza, acknowledged ongoing conversations with the U.S. and emphasized that Hamas is prepared to enter “intensive negotiations” for a long-term resolution. This includes a full end to hostilities, a large-scale prisoner swap, and the eventual transfer of Gaza governance to an independent technocratic body.
Sources involved in the talks, including Egyptian and Hamas officials who spoke anonymously, said the gesture was designed as a “gift” to Trump, with the expectation that he would reciprocate diplomatically. Alexander’s release reportedly requires a temporary pause in Israeli military operations to ensure his safe transfer.
Alexander’s family has not yet commented on the recent news, but his mother, Yael, had previously spoken about a video released in November showing her son pleading for help — a harrowing but vital sign that he was still alive.
Of the 251 people taken hostage by Hamas during the October 2023 assault, 59 are still believed to be in Gaza. Roughly one-third of those are thought to be alive. While some hostages were released during previous ceasefire agreements, the majority remain captive, and their families continue to call for a comprehensive resolution. The Hostages Families Forum stated that Alexander’s release must lead to a wider deal to free all remaining captives.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued unabated. Overnight airstrikes killed 15 Palestinians, many of them women and children, in areas including Khan Younis and Gaza City. Hospital sources and Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed the deaths, blaming Israeli attacks on civilian areas. Israel insists it targets militants and claims Hamas’ use of densely populated zones for operations puts civilians at risk.
With Gaza now sealed off for over 10 weeks—no food, medical supplies, or aid entering—conditions have deteriorated dramatically. Aid organizations say this is the worst humanitarian crisis of the war, as starvation and displacement grip the region.
In a separate but symbolically significant development, Israel announced that it had recovered the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Tzvi Feldman, a soldier missing since the 1982 Lebanon War. Feldman was found in Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime, enabling Mossad and military teams to track his burial site. Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Feldman’s surviving siblings and praised the intelligence community for their decades-long persistence.
As ceasefire negotiations gain fresh momentum, all eyes are now on the expected release of Edan Alexander and what it might mean for the broader goals of peace, prisoner swaps, and an end to Gaza’s humanitarian nightmare.
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