Israeli media reported on Sunday that Hamas could release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as early as Monday, following a direct clash between Hamas and Washington.
“After Hamas confirmed the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, which it is reportedly doing as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump during his visit to the region this week, US special envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Israel tomorrow to facilitate the process, according to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid,” The Times of Israel reports.
Witkoff is “finalizing the details before Edan Alexander is released,” a source familiar with the matter said, Ravid wrote in X.
Trump is traveling to the region, stopping in the Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Surprisingly, and apparently without official knowledge from Israel or any behind-the-scenes discussion of the issue in US-Hamas diplomatic relations, Hamas has officially confirmed the release, but no exact date has been specified.
Hamas said on Sunday that the decision to release Alexander was made after recent talks with US officials and “intensified efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open border crossings and allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.”
Importantly, the Palestinian group, which has been waging war against Israel since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack, has also said it is ready to continue more intensive negotiations.
Hamas says it is ready to initiate a mutually agreed prisoner exchange and allow an independent professional authority to govern Gaza.
President Trump may be preparing a major announcement about the prospect of peace in Gaza as he prepares to depart for the region on Air Force One.
All of this, interestingly, comes amid unconfirmed reports of a new feud between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. While the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denied the accuracy of the claims, the following was widely circulated last week:
President Trump has “cut off contact” with Netanyahu, criticizing the Israeli prime minister and his allies for “arrogant” behavior and attempts to influence him. Trump reportedly feels disrespected and manipulated by Netanyahu.
This new breakthrough, with Hamas ready to release an Israeli-American, suggests that Israel may have been sidelined from US-Palestinian talks.
If true, it would be a huge blow to Netanyahu, who faces growing domestic opposition and accusations that he is deliberately prolonging the war at the expense of the safety of the remaining surviving hostages.
