Hamas claims it will release American hostage Edan Alexander

Hamas claimed on Sunday that it would release American hostage Edan Alexander.

Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, has been held captive in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. 

“As part of the efforts made by the brotherly mediators to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days,” a statement, translated into English from Arabic, from the terror organization said.

“The movement has shown a high level of positivity, and the Israeli soldier with dual American citizenship, [Edan] Alexander, will be released as part of the steps being taken toward a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip,” the statement continued.

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It’s unclear when Alexander could be released.

Fox News 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.

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Israel is preparing for the possibility that this move will be carried out.

Khalil al-Hayya, who is Hamas’ political chief in Gaza, echoed the statement, reiterating “the movement has shown a high level of positivity” when speaking about the effort to free Alexander.  

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“The Hamas movement affirms its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners as mutually agreed upon, and manage the Gaza Strip by an independent, professional body, ensuring sustained calm and stability for many years, alongside reconstruction and ending the siege,” al-Hayya shared in a statement. 

Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander moved to Israel at 18 to volunteer for military service in the IDF’s Golani Brigade. He lived with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and at Kibbutz Hazor, where he was part of a group of lone soldiers.

He was kidnapped on the morning of October 7 — a Saturday, he wasn’t required to remain on base. His mother was visiting from abroad, and like many lone soldiers, he had the option to go home for the weekend. But he chose to stay, not wanting to leave his comrades short-staffed on guard duty.

There are 59 hostages still in Gaza, at least 24 of whom are assessed to be alive, including Alexander, now 21 years old after having spent two birthdays in Hamas captivity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters also released a statement following the announcement of Alexander’s potential release, saying that they “are embracing and supporting the Alexander family.”

“Should this release be confirmed, the release of Edan Alexander must mark the beginning of a comprehensive agreement that will secure the freedom of all remaining hostages,” the statement read. 

“President Trump, you’ve given the families of all the hostages hope. Please, complete your mission and bring them all home.” 

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President Donald Trump recently marked his 100th day in office, and the families of the five Americans still held hostage urged him to reflect on his strategy and apply pressure on both Israel and Hamas, through both economic and diplomatic means, to secure the release of all hostages.

In addition, fifty members of Congress sent Trump a letter May 9 urging him to prioritize getting the remaining hostages out.

“As months have passed since the most recent exchange, we must keep 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,” the group wrote in a letter to President Trump.

“Our government’s most solemn responsibility is to keep Americans safe. With that responsibility in mind, we urge you to use all diplomatic tools at your disposal, in concert with our regional allies and partners, to ensure Edan’s release and the release of the remains of the deceased American hostages as soon as possible. Every day in captivity adds to the nightmare for the hostages and their families. We must bring them home now,” – 50 members of Congress

While there is evident frustration among the families of the hostages, who have made clear the Israeli government has not offered anywhere near the same level of support or communication provided by both the Biden and Trump administrations, they said that, ultimately, the adversary is the terrorist organization that captured, in some instances, and continues to hold captive their loved ones. 

“Prime Minister Netanyahu must immediately fulfill the supreme moral obligation — and the demand of the vast majority of the Israeli public — to bring everyone back: the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in our country,” the organization said. “No one should be left behind.”

Qatar and Egypt released a joint statement praising Hamas’ claim that Alexander would be released.

The countries also said they “reaffirm 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. 

Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]