Hamas says it would launch Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire settlement in Gaza.
The 21-year-old soldier is the final dwelling hostage with US nationality being held within the territory.
It comes after a senior Hamas official advised the BBC that the Palestinian armed group was holding direct negotiations with a US administration official in Qatar. The official stated talks had been ongoing for a number of days and had been targeted on securing a truce and facilitating the entry of humanitarian support.
The Israeli prime minister’s workplace stated it had been knowledgeable by the US of the Hamas intention to launch Alexander.
A senior Palestinian official aware of the negotiations advised the BBC that Hamas’s announcement was supposed as a goodwill gesture earlier than President Donald Trump arrives within the Center East on Tuesday.
He stated one other assembly between Hamas and the mediators was scheduled for early Monday morning to finalise the method of Edan’s launch, which might require a brief halt to Israeli navy exercise and a suspension of aerial operations in the course of the handover.
Born in Tel Aviv however raised in New Jersey, Alexander was serving in an elite infantry unit on the border with Gaza when he was captured by Hamas militants in the course of the 7 October assault.
Of the 251 hostages taken throughout Hamas’s 2023 assault, 59 stay within the enclave, as much as 24 of whom are believed to be alive. 5 of the hostages in Gaza are believed to be US residents and Alexander was regarded as the one one nonetheless alive.
In its assertion, Hamas stated the discharge was a part of efforts to attain a ceasefire and permit meals, medication and different provides into Gaza – which has been below an entire blockade by Israel for 70 days. The group stated it wished to achieve a last settlement to finish the struggle.
The Israeli prime minister’s workplace stated in a press release that it had been knowledgeable by the US of the Hamas intention to launch Alexander “as a gesture in direction of the Individuals” and that the transfer was anticipated to result in negotiations on additional hostages.
Israel’s coverage was that negotiations could be performed “below fireplace, primarily based on the dedication to attain the entire targets of the struggle”, it added.
The Households and Lacking Households Discussion board marketing campaign group stated Alexander’s launch “should mark the start of a complete settlement that may safe the liberty of all remaining hostages”.
They stated President Trump had “given the households of all of the hostages hope” and urged Netanyahu to now “carry everybody again”.
Hamas has prior to now stated it would solely conform to a deal that features the tip of the struggle, one thing that has been repeatedly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The talks between Hamas and the US are happening amid a number of experiences suggesting rising frustration within the Trump administration with Netanyahu’s place. The prime minister can also be below strain at residence, with many accusing him of prolonging the struggle for political functions.
President Donald Trump arrives within the Center East on Tuesday, and Israel has vowed to broaden its navy offensive towards Hamas if no deal is reached by the tip of his go to.
Israeli officers have stated the plans for his or her expanded offensive embrace seizing the entire territory indefinitely, forcibly displacing Palestinians to the south, and taking up support distribution with personal corporations regardless of protests from the UN and its humanitarian companions.
Israel has already blocked the entry of all meals, remedy and different humanitarian provides into Gaza for 70 days and renewed its aerial bombardment and different navy operations there in mid-March, which have since killed 2,720 Palestinians in keeping with the Hamas-run well being ministry.
For the reason that starting of the 12 months, in keeping with the UN, about 10,000 circumstances of acute malnutrition amongst youngsters have been recognized. Meals costs have rocketed by as a lot as 1,400%.
The struggle was triggered by the Hamas-led assaults on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which noticed about 1,200 individuals killed and greater than 250 taken hostage. Some 59 are nonetheless held captive, as much as 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed 52,829 individuals in Gaza, in keeping with the Hamas-run well being ministry.
