Hamas, the Palestinian armed group, stated on Sunday night time that it could free Edan Alexander, the final dwelling American citizen held captive in Gaza, simply days earlier than President Trump is predicted to reach within the area for the primary main international tour of his second time period.
In a press release, Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s lead negotiator, didn’t say when Mr. Alexander could be launched and what, if something, Hamas would get in trade. However the Trump administration hoped Mr. Alexander could be launched as quickly as Monday, stated a U.S. official who spoke on the situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
The announcement comes at a pivotal second for the area. Palestinians have been bracing for an enormous escalation of Israel’s renewed floor offensive in Gaza, whereas the households of Israeli hostages have expressed diminishing hope for a breakthrough to free their family members.
Raised in Tenafly, N.J., Mr. Alexander, 21, moved to Israel to serve within the army after highschool. He was at a army put up on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed throughout the border within the shock assault that ignited the warfare in Gaza.
Alongside some 250 others, Mr. Alexander was kidnapped and brought to Gaza to be used as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Israel. Greater than 18 months later, 59 of them stay within the enclave. Dozens of them are presumed useless by the Israeli authorities, together with 4 U.S. residents.
U.S. officers negotiated immediately with Hamas leaders to safe Mr. Alexander’s launch, breaking with the normal American boycott of the group, in response to two Palestinians and a diplomat acquainted with Hamas decision-making, all of whom spoke on the situation of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.