Hamas is expected to announce the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, sources involved in negotiations told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday night.
Estimates say the release could take place in the coming 48 hours, the sources said.
Hamas said it might release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday at noon, Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat reported, citing Gazan sources knowledgeable on the matter.
Alexander’s parents confirmed the development to Channel 12.
“We are waiting for Hamas’s announcement, and [US envoy Steve] Witkoff updated us that this is expected to happen.”
"As an Israeli citizen and soldier, as well as a US citizen, both Israel and the United States are committed to his safety and security and to ensuring his safe return home, along with Israel's commitment to securing the return of the other 58 hostages without delay," the family added in a later statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
No hostage should be left behind."
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the US informed Israel of Hamas's intention to release Alexander, an American citizen, as a gesture to the Americans, "without any compensation or conditions."
"The United States has informed Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of hostages under the original Witkoff framework, which Israel has already accepted," the PMO noted.
The PMO stated that Israel is preparing for the possibility that this move will materialize, and that "According to Israel's policy, the negotiations will take place under fire, with a commitment to achieving all the war's objectives."
White House hostage envoy Adam Boehler noted the importance of releasing the bodies of four American hostages held in Gaza. “It’s a positive step forward, and we would also ask that Hamas release the bodies of four other Americans who were taken."
He also noted that US President Donald Trump's Middle East swing this week helped spur the move. "The president coming to the region was helpful, as was the work done on this issue by Secretary (of State) Rubio and (US special envoy) Steve Wikoff."
Hostage families: Edan's return must be the beginning of a deal to bring everyone home
The Hostages Families Forum responded, stating, "The families stand with the Alexander family. If the reports are correct, Edan's return must be the beginning of a deal that will bring back all 59 hostages."
"There is only one moral, rightful, and necessary deal: the immediate return of all hostages and the end of the war."
"This is an emergency call: now is the time for a breakthrough in the negotiations. The responsibility lies with the Israeli government. No one should be left behind. The prime minister must immediately fulfill the supreme moral duty and the overwhelming demand of the public to bring everyone back - the living for rehabilitation and the fallen for a proper burial in our country," the Forum said.
In a statement, exiled Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said efforts to facilitate the release have been jointly carried out by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
Hamas stated, "As part of the efforts being made by our mediating brothers to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days, and the movement has shown great positivity. The release of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds dual US citizenship, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip."
"The movement affirms its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations and to exert serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners by mutual consent, and administer the Gaza Strip by an independent, professional body. This will ensure continued calm and stability for many years, along with reconstruction and an end to the blockade," Hamas said.
In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt welcomed Alexander's release.
"The two countries consider it a gesture of goodwill and an encouraging step towards the return of the parties to the negotiating table to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, release prisoners and detainees, and ensure the safe and unhindered flow of aid to address the tragic conditions in the Strip."
Hamas previously states that status of Alexander unknown
Hamas published a propaganda video of Alexander before Passover, which his family allowed for publication.
In April, Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades said it had lost contact with the group that is holding Alexander following a direct strike at their location, Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said.
“We announce that we have lost contact with the team guarding soldier Edan Alexander following a direct Israeli bombardment targeting their location,” said Obeida. “We are still trying to reach them.”
Reuters contributed to this report.