The message comes after leaders of Hamas had direct talks with representatives of the USA in Qatar's capital Doha over the past few days.
A representative of the Palestinian Islamist group tells AFP that they have made "progress" on several fronts.
"This was a step taken in good faith towards the USA and the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – efforts to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones", says USA's President Donald Trump on his platform Truth Social.
Witkoff to Israel
Khalil al-Hayya, leader of Hamas in Gaza, announces in a statement that 21-year-old Edan Alexander will be released as part of the efforts to achieve a ceasefire and resume humanitarian transports to Gaza.
Alexander, raised in the USA, is a soldier who was taken from his military base by Hamas in connection with the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. He is the last remaining American hostage in Gaza who is alive.
When the release will take place is not clear. But USA's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff says to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that he will visit Israel on Monday.
Right now, the intention is to get Edan Alexander back to his family. That's what I can say, he says to the newspaper.
The USA is said to have informed Israel that Hamas intends to release Alexander without "compensation or conditions" but with hopes for new negotiations, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
Americans have also previously held direct talks with Hamas. That has previously upset Netanyahu's government.
"Gesture of goodwill"
Egypt and Qatar, who, alongside the USA, have mediated between Hamas and Israel, say in a joint statement that the release should be seen as "a gesture of goodwill" and an "encouraging step towards returning to the negotiating table".
The information about the release comes ahead of USA's President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East this week. Trump does not plan to visit Israel.
In total, Hamas took 251 people hostage during the attacks. 59 are still in Gaza, of which over 30 have died according to Israeli military. The rest have been released in various exchanges.
Israel broke the ceasefire unilaterally on March 18, which had then been in place for two months, and has since the beginning of March blocked humanitarian aid. The UN and various aid organizations are increasingly loudly warning about the great shortage of food and other necessities.
