Hamas militants have announced that they intend to free an American-Israeli hostage who is being held in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said on Sunday it had decided to release Edan Alexander as a gesture of goodwill to the Trump administration as the US president prepares to travel to the Middle East.
Mr. Alexander, an Israeli soldier, was captured on October 7, 2023.
The Trump administration had previously hinted at the move, with Mr. Alexander’s family saying in a statement at the time that they had “received the greatest gift imaginable — the news that our wonderful son Edan is coming home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza.”
An Israeli official said Hamas planned to release Alexander at around 6:30 p.m. local time (4:30 p.m. BST).
His parents, who live in the United States, were heading to Israel to await release.
The family expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Trump and his team for their efforts to secure his release.
They also called on the Israeli authorities to continue taking steps to free all hostages, adding: “Please do not stop. We hope that the return of our son will be the beginning of negotiations on the fate of all 58 remaining hostages, to end this horror for them and their families.”
Relatives of the Israeli hostages supported this statement, but also expressed their concerns.
Some said Mr. Alexander was freed because of his American citizenship and expressed alarm over the fate of the other 23 living and about 35 dead captives who remain in Gaza.
Maccabit Mayer, the aunt of hostage brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, told Israel's Army Radio on Monday: “Trump is saving him (Mr. Alexander). Who will take care of Gali and Ziv?”
She expressed regret that the twins do not have “proper citizenship.”
In addition, some relatives accuse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to secure their loved ones' release, arguing that his insistence on continuing the war in Gaza is politically motivated.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
