Concession to Trump: Hamas wants to release Israeli hostage with US passport

Following direct contacts with Washington, Hamas announces the release of a hostage with dual Israeli-American citizenship. The Islamists hope this gesture will help them reach an agreement with Israel. The young man apparently suffered martyrdom in captivity.

The Islamist Hamas says it intends to release an Israeli-American dual citizen from its custody. The terrorist organization stated that it has been in contact with the United States in recent days, and the release of the kidnapped soldier is part of the Islamists' efforts to reach a Gaza agreement.

The release will take place within 48 hours, said Suhail al-Hindi, a senior Hamas official, in the evening. US President Donald Trump is expected in the region in the coming days. According to the Times of Israel, the mediating states have urged Hamas to release the soldier to show their goodwill to Trump.

Israel not involved in negotiations

The family of the man, named Edan Alexander, said they had been informed of Hamas's announcement. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Washington had informed Israel's leadership of Hamas's intention to release the man without any conditions as a gesture to the Americans. The United States also informed Israel that this move would likely lead to negotiations on an agreement that Israel had accepted in the past.

Two months ago, Hamas had already proposed releasing the soldier as part of a deal. The Israeli government, however, described Hamas' offer as insufficient. The Israeli news website "ynet" reported that Israel was not involved in the negotiations and would not have to release any Palestinian prisoners in return. The man's parents planned to leave the US for Israel. Israeli media reported that the man was also chained and tortured for a time while in captivity, citing accounts from previously released hostages.