Hamas introduced Sunday that Edan Alexander, the final American hostage remaining in Gaza, might be launched as a part of efforts to determine a cease-fire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory, and resume humanitarian support deliveries.
The assertion didn’t specify a timeline for his launch. The announcement comes simply forward of U.S. President Donald Trump’s deliberate go to to the Middle East, although he isn’t anticipated to journey to Israel.
Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier raised within the U.S., was captured throughout Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion on southern Israel that triggered the continued warfare in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace has but to reply. Netanyahu’s authorities had expressed frustration earlier this 12 months over U.S. direct talks with Hamas.
Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas chief in Gaza, mentioned the group has been in touch with the U.S. administration over the previous few days.
Al-Hayyah mentioned in an announcement that Hamas is able to “instantly begin intensive negotiations” to succeed in a closing deal for a long-term truce, which incorporates an finish to the warfare, the change of Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza, and the handover of energy in Gaza to an unbiased physique of technocrats.
Alexander’s mother and father didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Trump and his particular envoy, Steve Witkoff, have ceaselessly talked about Alexander, now 21, by title in latest months. Witkoff is predicted to go to Israel within the coming hours.
“Every time they are saying Edan’s title, it’s like they didn’t overlook. They didn’t overlook he’s American, and so they’re engaged on it,” Edan’s mom, Yael Alexander, advised The Associated Press in February.
Hamas launched a video of Alexander in November throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, his favourite vacation, his mom mentioned.
A local of Tenafly, New Jersey, the place his mother and father and two youthful siblings nonetheless stay, Edan Alexander moved to Israel in 2022 after highschool and enlisted within the navy.
Fifty-nine hostages are nonetheless inside Gaza after a lot of the others had been launched in cease-fire agreements or different offers.
Source: www.dailysabah.com