Varda Ben Baruch holds a photograph of her grandson Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander throughout a rally of households of hostages held within the Gaza Strip on April 20 in Nir Oz, Israel.
Amir Levy/Getty Photographs
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Amir Levy/Getty Photographs
TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas says it would launch Israeli American Edan Alexander from Gaza as a step towards reaching a ceasefire settlement with Israel, in response to an announcement on the militant group’s Telegram channel.
Alexander is a 21-year-old Israeli soldier with twin U.S.-Israeli citizenship who was captured whereas on obligation within the Hamas-led assaults on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He’s the final remaining American citizen held by Hamas in Gaza who’s believed to nonetheless be alive. The our bodies of 4 different People are nonetheless held in Gaza, in response to the U.S.
Within the assertion, Hamas stated it had been holding secret talks with the U.S. for the final a number of days, and that Alexander “will be released as part of the steps taken to establish a ceasefire.” It stated his launch would come as a part of ceasefire efforts to open Gaza’s border crossings and convey support to Gaza after greater than 10 weeks of an Israeli blockade that worldwide humanitarian teams say is driving rampant starvation within the territory.
President Trump took to social media on Sunday to verify the settlement with Hamas on Alexander’s launch, saying that it was made to “put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.”
Israeli officers haven’t but commented publicly on whether or not they have been conscious of the talks, however an announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated the U.S. had “informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release soldier Edan Alexander as a goodwill gesture to the Americans, without any conditions or compensation.” It stated Israel is “preparing for the possibility” of his launch.
Earlier this 12 months, each Hamas and the U.S. confirmed that the 2 events had been holding direct talks beginning as early as January — in a significant shift in American coverage, because the U.S. had not engaged instantly with Hamas because it designated it a terrorist group in 1997. It has been a long-standing U.S. coverage to not negotiate with teams it designates as terrorists.
Qatar and Egypt — two international locations who’ve performed key roles in negotiation efforts between Israel and Hamas all through the battle, together with the U.S. — issued a joint announcement welcoming the discharge of Alexander, calling it a “encouraging step” towards a ceasefire in Gaza.
The announcement about Alexander’s doable launch comes shortly earlier than Trump departs for the area to go to Arab allies within the Gulf on Monday, in his first abroad journey throughout his second time period. He isn’t anticipated to go to Israel, however is predicted to debate the way forward for Gaza with Arab leaders.
Hamas has not but stated when Alexander can be launched, though Steve Witkoff, Trump’s particular envoy to the Center East, instructed NBC information on Sunday that he’s touring to Israel, and “picking him up probably tomorrow.” He stated the discharge was occurring largely due to President Trump. Witkoff’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to NPR’s request for remark.
There are 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, together with Alexander, greater than half of whom are believed to be lifeless, in response to Israel. Hamas had launched 38 hostages in alternate for 1000’s of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel below a ceasefire deal that started on Jan. 19. However Israel’s navy broke that ceasefire in March, after negotiations between the 2 events failed to supply an extension of the truce.
Israel has since gained management of a couple of third of Gaza’s territory, and has imposed an entire blockade whereas persevering with a lethal and harmful air marketing campaign all through. Earlier this month it stated it deliberate to increase its offensive there.
Gaza well being authorities say greater than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli assaults on the territory for the reason that begin of the battle in October 2023. About 1,200 folks in Israel have been killed within the Hamas-led assaults that month and a few 250 folks have been taken hostage, in response to Israel.
Kat Lonsdorf reported from Washington, D.C., and Daniel Estrin reported from Tel Aviv. Itay Stern contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Ahmed Abuhamda contributed from Cairo and Nuha Musleh from Ramallah.
