The Palestinian group Hamas has said it will release Israeli-American hostage Aidan Alexander as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has said that he will be released before US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East (West Asia). Trump is visiting the region from Tuesday. According to the BBC, Hamas has stated that with the release of Alexander, it is also intended to facilitate the agreement to open the way for humanitarian aid.

Gaza has been under Israeli blockade for 70 days. A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the Palestinian armed group is in direct talks with a US administration official in Qatar.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has said that it is not committed to any ceasefire. But the office said that it is committed to a 'safe corridor' for Alexander's release. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that preparations to intensify the fighting were still ongoing and that Alexander's release was possible due to military pressure on Hamas.

President Trump confirmed the release of Alexander through the social network Truth Social and called it a "step taken in good faith". 21-year-old Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in New Jersey, USA, was captured by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023 after the Gaza attack. At the time, he was serving in an elite infantry unit on the Gaza border.

Of the 251 hostages taken after the attack, 59 are still under Hamas control. According to the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, 24 people including one Nepalese Bipin Joshi are alive. Among the hostages are 5 American citizens and only Alexander is believed to be alive.

Egypt and Qatar also issued a joint statement saying that Hamas agreeing to release Alexander is an "encouraging step towards returning to the negotiating table". A senior Palestinian official familiar with talks with the US in Qatar told the BBC that Hamas's announcement was made as a goodwill gesture before Trump's arrival.