Hamas announced on Sunday that it will release 18-year-old Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander from the Gaza Strip within 48 hours, aiming to secure a broader ceasefire and reopen key border crossings for humanitarian aid.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and head of the group’s negotiating team, said talks with the U.S. administration have shown “great positivity” in recent days. “As part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the movement will release Edan Alexander,” al-Hayya stated.
Suhail al-Hindi, another senior official of Hamas, confirmed via Xinhua News Agency that the release would occur within 48 hours, marking a pivotal step toward resuming stalled negotiations.
The 18-year-old Alexander is believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza. A temporary ceasefire earlier in January allowed for the release of several captives and the entry of aid during a six-week phase. However, those talks collapsed on March 1, stalling both prisoner exchanges and humanitarian deliveries.
Hamas has expressed readiness to enter intensive negotiations immediately, aiming not only for a lasting ceasefire but also a prisoner exchange deal and the establishment of an independent, professional governing body in the Gaza Strip. Analysts say such a move could reopen critical humanitarian corridors, easing the needs of civilians on both sides and reigniting international mediation efforts.
Global observers and humanitarian groups will be watching closely, as the success of these talks could reshape regional dynamics, revive aid flows, and signal a new chapter in conflict resolution strategies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
