Hamas to launch Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza, Edan Alexander

TEL AVIV, Israel — Hamas is predicted to launch Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday, as a part of what the militant group stated was a step towards reaching a ceasefire settlement with Israel.

Alexander, a 21 year-old Israeli soldier raised in New Jersey, is the final remaining U.S. citizen captured by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 and held in Gaza, who’s believed to nonetheless be alive. The our bodies of 4 different People are nonetheless held in Gaza, based on the U.S.

President Trump posted on his social media platform that the discharge is a “step taken in good faith” to place an finish to the struggle.

In an announcement, Hamas stated it had been holding talks with the U.S. for the final a number of days. The militant group stated the discharge would come as a part of a ceasefire effort to open Gaza’s border crossings and produce assist to Gaza. Israel has blocked all assist together with meals and medical provides for greater than 10 weeks to stress Hamas to launch extra hostages. Humanitarian teams say it’s driving rampant starvation within the territory.

A Hamas official says the U.S. has made guarantees in return for hostage launch

A Hamas official, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to talk publicly, advised NPR that the discharge was in return for unspecified gestures the U.S. promised.

The official hinted it anticipated Israel to launch some Palestinian prisoners and guarantee some assist into Gaza, and anticipated the U.S. to barter a broader take care of Israel that ensures the tip of the struggle.

“The ball is now in the American and Israeli court. We gave the Americans what they asked for. They need to get the other side to give things too,” the Hamas official stated.

Israel denies it should provide concessions in change for hostage launch

A press release from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace on Monday stated that Alexander’s return “without anything in return” is due to President Trump’s diplomacy and the Israeli army’s stress in Gaza.

The assertion stated Israel has not agreed to a ceasefire in change for Alexander’s launch.

In what’s referred to as Hostages Sq. in downtown Tel Aviv, scores of Israelis stood in entrance of a giant tv display with Alexander’s picture, awaiting his launch. Supporters held indicators with the pictures of different Israeli hostages nonetheless held in Gaza. One girl in a shiny yellow pantsuit held an indication in English that stated “Trump we trust you.”

Supporters of the hostages expressed frustration that the Israeli management has not achieved their freedom whereas the U.S. struck its personal take care of Hamas for the discharge of a U.S. citizen.

“Trump is doing a great job in maintaining and continuing to get these hostages back, and I am not sure what our government is doing to ensure the release of the hostages,” stated Maya Weinrich, a 27-year-old medical scholar and twin U.S.-Israeli citizen.

Palestinians in Gaza praised President Trump

In Gaza Metropolis, Palestinian resident Awni Abu Kumail stated he understands why Hamas agreed to launch Alexander.

“Hamas wants to prove to the U.S. that it isn’t the one holding up the ceasefire talks,” Abu Kumail stated.

“Trump has shown Israel that the United States is stronger,” stated resident Ahmed Abu Hadid in Gaza Metropolis. “Without the U.S. there would never be any solutions.”

Hostage launch deal is newest U.S. sidestep of Israel

Alexander’s launch comes as Trump heads 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.

The U.S.-Hamas deal is the newest in a collection of main selections Trump has taken within the Mideast whereas sidestepping Israel’s management. These strikes embody U.S. nuclear talks with Iran, a truce with the Houthis in Yemen that didn’t assure the tip of Houthi missile assaults on Israel, and U.S. talks for a Saudi civilian nuclear program that may not be conditioned on Saudi Arabia establishing diplomatic ties with Israel in return.

Earlier this yr, 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 straight 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 which have performed key roles in negotiation efforts between Israel and Hamas all through the struggle, together with the U.S. — issued a joint announcement welcoming the discharge of Alexander, calling it a “encouraging step” towards a ceasefire in Gaza.

Scores of different hostages stay in Hamas captivity as Israel wages struggle

There are 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, together with Alexander, greater than half of whom are believed to be lifeless, based on Israel. Hamas had launched 38 hostages in change for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel below a ceasefire deal that started on Jan. 19. However Israel’s army 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 few third of Gaza’s territory, and has imposed a whole blockade on all assist together with meals and gasoline, whereas persevering with a lethal and damaging air marketing campaign. Earlier this month it stated it deliberate to develop its offensive there.

Gaza well being authorities say greater than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli assaults on the territory because the begin of the struggle in October 2023. About 1,200 individuals in Israel had been killed within the Hamas-led assaults that month and a few 250 individuals had been taken hostage, based on Israel.

Daniel Estrin, Itay Stern and Carrie Kahn contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Anas Baba from Gaza Metropolis, and Abu Bakr Bashir from London.