Hamas releases US hostage raising hopes of Gaza ceasefire

The Palestinian militant group has said it released Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza. It called the release part of ceasefire efforts, following rare direct talks with US officials in Doha.

Hamas announced on Monday that it had released Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living US hostage in Gaza, as it strives to restart ceasefire talks.

The Palestinian militant group, listed as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the US, announced on Sunday that it had held rare direct talks with US representatives in Doha.

Edan Alexander — an American-Israeli soldier who was abducted from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas' October 7, 2023, cross-border attack that set off the war in Gaza — had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip for more than 19 months before being turned over to representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday according to a Hamas statement.

The group said it had taken the step as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration in hopes that it might lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.

An Israeli official confirmed that Alexander's transfer was underway, without providing details. 

His release is the first since Israel broke an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.

Israel nevertheless continues to escalate its offensive, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office saying he would not grant Hamas any concessions for Alexander's release.

Alexander's release comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit the region this week.

What do we know about the US-Hamas talks?

Hamas officials originally reported the direct talks to news agencies, saying they revolved around "a ceasefire in Gaza, a prisoner exchange and the entry of humanitarian aid."

Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said in a statement that Hamas is ready to "immediately start intensive negotiations" to reach a final deal for a long-term truce, which includes an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages in Gaza and the handing over of power in Gaza to an independent body of technocrats.

"Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of efforts toward a ceasefire" in Gaza and the reopening of aid crossings, Hamas had said in a Sunday statement.

Trump hails news of hostage release as 'monumental'

US President Donald Trump confirmed that Alexander would be coming home to his family.

In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump said he was "grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen."

"Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict," he added.

Israeli media, citing his family, reported that Alexander might travel to Qatar for a meeting with Trump, depending on his health. Trump is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week. 

Israel says negotiations to be held 'under fire'

The office of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had been informed of Alexander's release.

"The US has informed Israel of Hamas' intention to release soldier Edan Alexander as a gesture to the Americans, without conditions or anything in exchange," the office posted on X.

But, it added in a second post, in "accordance with Israel's policy, the negotiations will be held under fire, based on the commitment to achieve all of the objectives of the war."

Hamas took some 250 hostages when it carried out the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people. Some 58 hostages remain held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza on March 2, ending a two-month ceasefire and imposing a total blockade on the enclave. 

Israel's sustained military assault in Gaza has killed more than 52,800 Palestinians, according to figures from health authorities of Hamas, which runs Gaza. Numbers published by the agency are regarded as reliable by international organizations.

Edited by: Zac Crellin and Louis Oelofse