Hamas releases Edan Alexander, last living American hostage in Gaza

Hamas released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday after holding him for 584 days.Why it matters: Hamas released Alexander as a "good faith" gesture towards President Trump ahead of his trip to the Middle East this week, U.S., Palestinian and Israeli officials say. Behind the scenes: It was a result of secret backchannel talks between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Haia, handled through a mediator. The U.S. made it clear that releasing Alexander "for free" would go a long way with Trump, especially if he was freed ahead of Trump's trip.The White House hope Alexander's release will help break the logjam in negotiations for a broader deal to end the war in Gaza.Driving the news: Hamas handed over Alexander to the Red Cross near the city of Khan Younis and he was transferred shortly thereafter to the Israel Defense Force.Witkoff, Trump's hostage envoy Adam Boehler, Alexander's family and Israel's hostage coordinator traveled to an IDF base near Gaza to welcome him.What's next: Alexander's parents say that if his medical condition allows it, Edan will travel to Doha on Wednesday to meet Trump.Behind the scenes: Several hours before Alexander was released, Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the way forward on Gaza negotiations, Israeli and U.S. officials said. The Prime Minister's Office said that after the call, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli negotiating team to leave for Doha on Tuesday to resume talks on a broader hostage deal.Before the phone call with Trump, Netanyahu met with Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.The Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu discussed with them a "last effort" to reach a hostage deal and ceasefire based on a framework Witkoff previously laid out, which would only pause the war rather than end it.According to that plan, between eight and 10 hostages would be released in exchange for a 45-70-day ceasefire. Hamas has so far rejected the plan and pushed for a comprehensive deal to release all hostages and end the war. What they are saying: Hamas said in a statement after Alexander's release that they are ready to "immediately" begin negotiations for a comprehensive agreement involving a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the end of the siege, the exchange of prisoners and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. "We urge the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end this war," Hamas said.What to watch: The Prime Minister's Office said "the negotiations will only take place under fire" and emphasized that if these efforts fail, Israel will launch the broad military operation it has been preparing in the last few days.

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