Trump hails the imminent release of an American-Israeli hostage in Gaza as historic news and describes the war on Gaza as brutal

US President Donald Trump on Sunday praised Hamas’s announcement that it would release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander in Gaza, expressing hope that all hostages would be freed and the fighting would end.

“I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this historic news,” Trump wrote in a social media post, describing the hostage’s release as a goodwill gesture adding, “We hope this is the first of the final steps needed to end this brutal conflict”.

Earlier on Sunday, Hamas announced that Israeli soldier and US citizen Edan Alexander will be released as part of the steps taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief.

Hamas affirmed its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations and to exert serious efforts to reach a final agreement to cease the war, exchange prisoners by mutual consent, and administer the Gaza Strip to an independent, professional body, ensuring continued calm and stability for many years, along with reconstruction and an end to the blockade.

For its part, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israel wasn’t aware of the US-Hamas negotiations regarding the release of Edan Alexander.

Commenting on Hamas’ announcement, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Washington had informed Tel Aviv of Hamas’ intention to release of Edan Alexander without any conditions or compensation.

This comes as President Trump renewed his pledge to facilitate the delivery of food and aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Washington’s envoy to Israel confirmed on Friday that a US mechanism to support the delivery of aid to the Strip will soon be implemented.

Meanwhile, Israel has threatened to expand its ground operations in the Gaza Strip if Trump leaves the region after his upcoming visit without achieving tangible progress in negotiations, with the aim of intensifying pressure on Hamas and imposing new conditions on the ground.