Hamas said it would release Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American prisoner suspected of being the last surviving American prisoner in Gaza, as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire.
The decision comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East on Tuesday. Hamas also said the move was part of a facilitation agreement to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been under a 70-day Israeli blockade.
Earlier, a senior Hamas official told the BBC that the Palestinian militant group was holding direct talks with a US administration official in Qatar.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the US had informed Hamas of the plan to release Alexander.
