Hamas will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday – the first unilateral release by the Palestinian group in recent weeks. Alexander, 21, is believed to be the last known surviving American hostage held in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
A spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing confirmed the planned release, which comes after what the group says were assurances from mediators that Israel would temporarily pause military operations to facilitate the transfer.
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“Hamas was informed that at exactly 9:30 a.m., Israel began halting its reconnaissance, drone, and warplane flights, as well as combat operations, to create a safe corridor for the transfer and handover of Edan,” a Hamas source told AFP. A similar statement was reported by Asharq al-Awsat, which noted that the halt had already begun.
Despite the reports, an Israeli official stated that the Israeli military would not officially confirm a ceasefire or halt in combat operations, maintaining instead that only a “safe corridor” was being created to ensure Alexander’s safe passage.
According to military sources, Alexander will be handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who will escort him to Israeli forces inside the Gaza Strip. From there, he will be transported out of Gaza to receive medical care and reunite with his family.