Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander may soon be released by Hamas, with reports suggesting it could happen as early as Monday following direct engagement between Hamas and Washington.
According to Israeli media, Hamas is set to release Alexander as a gesture of goodwill to US President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to the region. Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported that US special envoy Steve Witkoff will be arriving in Israel to facilitate the release process.
Hamas has confirmed the decision to release Alexander after recent talks with US officials and efforts to achieve a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian group has also expressed readiness to resume negotiations for a mutually agreed prisoner exchange and administration of Gaza by an independent authority.
President Trump’s upcoming trip to the region has raised hopes for a potential announcement on Gaza peace. However, there are unverified reports of a rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with claims that Trump has cut contact with Netanyahu due to feeling disrespected and manipulated.
The breakthrough in Hamas’s willingness to release the Israeli-American hostage suggests that Israel may have been excluded from US-Palestinian talks, posing a significant challenge for Netanyahu amid domestic pressure and accusations of prolonging the conflict to the detriment of the remaining hostages’ safety.