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Hamas has confirmed that it will release Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held in Gaza, following intense discussions with the U.S. administration. This announcement is seen as a hopeful sign of diplomatic progress and a potential step toward ending the violence in Gaza.
Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ lead negotiator, expressed the group’s readiness to engage in serious peace talks. The goal of these negotiations is to secure a ceasefire, an agreement on prisoner exchanges, and the establishment of a neutral authority to oversee Gaza in the aftermath of the conflict.
The Alexander family expressed their joy at the news, calling it “the greatest gift imaginable” on Mother’s Day. They thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and the U.S. government for their tireless efforts in securing Edan’s release and keeping hope alive for other families affected by the conflict.
Former President Trump hailed the announcement as “monumental news” in a post on Truth Social. He praised Qatar and Egypt’s mediation and said that Alexander’s release is a significant first step in bringing an end to the ongoing violence and ensuring the return of all hostages and remains.
While the release could occur as early as Monday, sources suggest that it is more likely to happen on Tuesday. Notably, Israel is not expected to offer the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander’s freedom, highlighting the gesture’s nature as a goodwill move by Hamas.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi confirmed that direct talks took place between the U.S. and Hamas, laying the groundwork for the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Steve Witkoff, who is expected to arrive in Tel Aviv soon, confirmed the indirect nature of the negotiations, which have moved forward in a positive direction.
U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler will travel to Israel with Edan’s parents, Adi and Yael Alexander, ahead of their son’s expected release. Boehler emphasized that securing Edan’s freedom was a priority for President Trump and credited Witkoff and Senator Marco Rubio for their focus on the case.
Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed to Israeli lawmakers that Hamas plans to release Alexander without any conditions or concessions from Israel. Netanyahu’s office also noted that while the release might pave the way for further hostage negotiations, these will take place amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the news but stressed that the release of Alexander must lead to broader negotiations for the release of all hostages. They urged Netanyahu to fulfill his moral obligation to bring all hostages back and commended President Trump for his leadership in the matter.
Currently, 59 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza, though Trump recently claimed that only 21 are still alive—lower than Israel’s official estimate of 24. Netanyahu acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the status of three hostages, underlining the tragic reality of the ongoing crisis.
Among the hostages are four Americans confirmed to have died: Gadi and Judi Haggai, a married couple, and soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the recovery of all hostages and remains a top priority for the Trump administration, underscoring the humanitarian and political significance of the issue.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported a complete depletion of its food supplies. World Chef Kitchen announced that it could no longer prepare meals and is now focused on providing clean water, as the region faces an escalating famine.