Jerusalem
CNN
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Hamas has announced the imminent release of Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held in Gaza.
Hamas’ negotiation team head said they were “in contact with the US administration” during talks that “we had shown high positivity for the past few days.”
Following the communication, Hamas announced that the intersection to Gaza was opened and that it would release Alexander as part of the phase of a ceasefire brought to Gaza after more than two months of Israeli lockdown.
The release could be Monday as early as possible, but it is likely to occur on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the issue.
“The movement confirms that it is ready to immediately begin intensive negotiations, stop the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed manner, and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to manage the organization of independent professionals,” Khalil al-Heiya said in a statement.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told Hamas Al Aksa Television that they had directly negotiated with the US, which will lead to the reopening of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. However, sources familiar with the discussion rely on Qatar and Egypt as mediators, and have been described as indirect.
According to a third source familiar with the issue, Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, will arrive in Tel Aviv Monday morning ahead of the release of Alexander.
Sources called it a “complete profit gesture.” Especially as Israel is poised to expand its military operations in Gaza.
Israel is not expected to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander.
“We’re going to negotiate an immediate peace deal,” the source said.
CNN has contacted Trump’s missions Steve Witkoff and Adam Berer for comments as well as the National Security Council.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the Sunday evening’s Foreign and Defense Committee closure meeting in Knesset, another source familiar with the issue said Hamas might release US and Israeli hostage Edan Alexander soon.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that Hamas had been informed of his intention to release Alexander “without compensation or conditions.”
The release is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of more hostages, but Netanyahu’s office said “negotiations will take place under fire.”
News of the announcement of Alexander’s release was first reported by Axios.
Hostages and Missing Family Forum said Alexander’s release must be the beginning of a “comprehensive” contract to ensure the release of all hostages.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu must quickly meet the highest moral duties and the demands of the majority of Israeli people in order to bring back everyone,” the Forum said. “President (Donald) Trump, you have given to all hostage hopeful families. Complete your mission and bring them all home.”
Alexander is one of the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza. Last week, Trump said fewer hostages than Israel’s official number of 24 living hostages are still not alive, Trump said. Trump’s surprise announcement forced Netanyahu to admit that there are three hostages “which I doubt if they are alive or not.”
Among the hostages are four deceased American citizens, including husband and wife Gaddy Haggai and Judy Weinstein Haggai, as well as soldiers Itai Chen and Omer Nutra.
In an interview that aired Saturday evening, US Israeli ambassador Mike Huckabee called the return of hostages “a top priority the president has to do with this country.”
In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt were called the release of Alexander. “Encouraging steps to ensure parties return to the negotiation table for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, release of prisoners and detainees, and ensure a safe and unhindered flow of aid to deal with the tragic situation of the strip.”
Alexander’s release is “part of the measures” to allow humanitarian aid to flow back to Gaza, according to Hamas, following the full Israeli blockade of Israel that began on March 2. Since then, food stocks have been run out of Gaza warehouses and food kitchens as Enclaves have approached hunger.
Gaza’s health ministry said on Sunday it was warning that there was a serious shortage of medical supplies and that 43% of essential medications are currently out of stock. The Gaza emergency rooms and ICUs are “being forced to operate with supplies that have been exhausted amid an increase in serious injuries,” the ministry said.
“Basic humanitarian supplies, including food, fuel, medical aid and vaccines, are running out rapidly,” Unrwa, Gaza’s leading UN agency, warned on Friday. The agency said it has now completely disappeared from stock of flour and food parcels.
On Friday, World Chef Kitchen said the Gaza team is working to expand the supply of clean water at the enclave, allowing them to “no longer cook meals or bake bread.”
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office does not mention the resumption of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Khader al-Za’anoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian communications agency, contributed to this story.
