Hamas releases Israeli-US soldier, Trump looks forward to more captives

Iran Press TV

Monday, 12 May 2025 6:48 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has released an Israeli-American soldier, reiterating its readiness to begin Gaza ceasefire talks stalled by Israel.

On Monday, Hamas said it released Edan Alexander “following contacts with the US administration”.

According to the statement, the move comes “as part of the efforts made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings, and deliver aid to the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement.

“This step comes after important communications in which Hamas demonstrated positivity and high flexibility,” the movement said.

Hamas stressed that “serious” talks will lead to the release of Israeli captives, warning that the ongoing Israeli war “will prolong their suffering and may kill them”.

The movement also reiterated its readiness to “immediately” begin talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement of a permanent ceasefire, leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the end of the Israeli siege, the exchange of prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Hamas urged the administration of US President Donald Trump “to continue its efforts to end this brutal war waged by the war criminal [Israel’s prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu against children, women, and unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip”.

According to media reports, Red Cross vehicles have picked up Edan Alexander north of Khan Younis.

Trump had hoped that more captives would be released.

“We hope that we’re going to have other hostages released, too,” Trump said ahead of the expected release of Alexander.

“We’ll get Edan today,” he said.

Israel launched the campaign of genocide in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 53,000 Palestinians.

Last January, the Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas, given the regime’s failure to achieve any of its objectives, including the “elimination” of the Palestinian resistance movement or the release of captives.

The 42-day first stage of the truce, which was marred by repeated Israeli violations, expired on March 1, but Israel is refraining from stepping into talks for the second stage of the agreement.

Since March 18, the regime has launched strikes on Gaza, breaking the ceasefire and prisoner-captive exchange agreement that had lasted nearly two months.