Hamas to release last living American hostage Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire efforts today

By Shannon Cook

Hamas says it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire efforts today.

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The Palestinian militant group said it would be releasing Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, on Monday in its efforts to achieve a ceasefire with Israel.

The group said in a statement: "Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days.

"The movement has expressed a high degree of positivity, and the release of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US citizen, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip."

Mr Alexander was 19 when he was captured on the border with Gaza in southern Israel during the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023.

His impending release has been described as a "gesture of goodwill" by Steve Witkoff - Trump's special envoy to the Middle East.

Mr Witkoff confirmed to NBC News that he is travelling to Israel to secure Mr Alexander's release.

He said: "We are picking him up probably tomorrow.

"There was a long negotiation with lots of people to thank."

Hamas first announced the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander yesterday - as part of a push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel has been blocking aid including food, medical supplies and fuel in a total blockade since March 2025, creating a humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The announcement on Sunday night comes shortly before US president Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East this week.

Us president Donald Trump is currently not planning to visit Israel.

Alexander is an Israeli-American soldier who grew up in the United States, serving for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

He was abducted from his base during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that ignited the war in Gaza.

Khalil al-Hayyah, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said the group has been in contact with the Trump administration over the past few days.

He said in a statement Hamas is ready to "immediately start intensive negotiations" to reach a final deal for a long-term truce.

Hamas is seeking a deal that includes an end to the war, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and hostages in Gaza and the handing over of power in Gaza to an independent body of technocrats.

Alexander's parents did not immediately return requests for comment, and there was no immediate response from the office of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump has frequently mentioned Mr Alexander, now 21, by name in the past few months.

"Every time they say Edan's name, it's like they didn't forget. They didn't forget he's American, and they're working on it," Edan's mother, Yael Alexander, told The Associated Press in February.

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