Due to continuity of the truce in Gaza, Hamas will release American hostage

“We are working with mediators to make the agreement successful and to force the occupation to complete all stages of the agreement,” Abdel-Latif al-Qouanoua, spokesman for Hamas, told Reuters.

Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in recent days have sought the release of Edan Alexander, a 21 -year -old man from New Jersey who served as a soldier in the Israeli armed forces.

President Donald Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters at the White House in early March that Alexander’s release was a “top priority.”

“The approval of Hamas for the release of Edan Alexander aims to boost the conclusion of the phases of the agreement,” said Qanoua.

The fighting in Gaza have been interrupted since January 19 under the first phase of the three-phase ceasefire agreement, during which Hamas exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai for about 2,000 prisoners and detainees Palestinians.

However, when the first phase expired on March 2, the parties did not agree on the beginning of the second phase. Israel offered to extend the first phase, while Hamas said it would resume the liberation of hostages only in the second phase, during which Israel should discuss the withdrawal of troops and the permanent end of war, the main demands of Hamas.