Hamas Claims Intention to Release American Hostage Edan Alexander Amid Ceasefire Efforts

Hamas announced on Sunday its intention to release Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli citizen who has been held captive in Gaza since the October 7 attack on southern Israel. The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by mediators to broker a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

According to a statement released by the terror organization and translated from Arabic into English, Hamas has been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days as part of these mediation efforts. The statement indicated a "high level of positivity" from Hamas, suggesting a willingness to make concessions in exchange for a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The statement specifically mentioned the release of Alexander, an Israeli soldier with dual American citizenship, as a step being taken toward these objectives. However, the exact timing of Alexander’s potential release remains unclear.

Fox News has learned that the United States had informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release Alexander as a gesture to Americans, without compensation or conditions. The United States told Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of hostages, according to the original framework, laid out by Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which Israel has already accepted.

Israel is reportedly preparing for the possibility that the release will occur. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ political chief in Gaza, echoed the sentiment of the initial statement, reiterating that the movement has shown a "high level of positivity" regarding the effort to free Alexander.

Al-Hayya further stated that Hamas is ready to immediately begin intensive negotiations to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners as mutually agreed upon, and establish an independent, professional body to manage the Gaza Strip. This body would aim to ensure sustained calm and stability for the region, facilitate reconstruction efforts, and end the siege.

Edan Alexander, who was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, moved to Israel at the age of 18 to volunteer for military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He served in the Golani Brigade and resided with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and at Kibbutz Hazor, where he was part of a group of lone soldiers.

Alexander was kidnapped on the morning of October 7, a Saturday when he was not required to be on base. His mother was visiting from abroad, and like many lone soldiers, he had the option to spend the weekend at home. However, he chose to remain with his comrades, not wanting to leave them short-staffed on guard duty.

Currently, there are 59 hostages still being held in Gaza. Of these, at least 24 are believed to be alive, including Alexander, who recently turned 21 after spending two birthdays in captivity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters released a statement expressing support for the Alexander family following the announcement of his potential release. The statement emphasized that if Alexander’s release is confirmed, it must mark the beginning of a comprehensive agreement to secure the freedom of all remaining hostages.

The families of the hostages have also urged President Donald Trump to prioritize their release, calling for increased pressure on both Israel and Hamas through economic and diplomatic channels.

Fifty members of Congress sent Trump a letter on May 9, urging him to prioritize getting the remaining hostages out. The letter emphasized the importance of keeping the five remaining Americans and additional 54 hostages top of mind.

The five American hostages include Edan Alexander, Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai. Only Alexander is believed to be alive while Nuetra, Chen, Haggai and Weinstein Haggai were either murdered on October 7th or in captivity

While the families of the hostages have expressed frustration with the Israeli government’s level of support and communication compared to that provided by the Biden and Trump administrations, they recognize that the primary adversary is the terrorist organization holding their loved ones captive.

The organization representing the hostages’ families called upon Prime Minister Netanyahu to fulfill the "supreme moral obligation" to bring everyone back, both the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.

Qatar and Egypt issued a joint statement praising Hamas’ claim that Alexander would be released and reaffirming their continued joint efforts in mediating the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The potential release of Edan Alexander represents a significant development in the ongoing efforts to secure the freedom of hostages held in Gaza. It remains to be seen whether this gesture will pave the way for further negotiations and a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict and bring all remaining hostages home. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining the future of these negotiations and the fate of those still held captive. The international community remains focused on the situation, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to this humanitarian crisis. The release of Alexander could serve as a catalyst for broader de-escalation and pave the way for a more stable and secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians. The focus now shifts to ensuring that the momentum generated by this potential release is sustained and translated into tangible progress toward a lasting peace.