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Hamas said on Sunday it would release an Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza as a goodwill gesture to Donald Trump, ahead of a visit to the Middle East this week by the US president.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said the move to release Edan Alexander was being taken after talks with US officials, where the Palestinian militant group showed a “high level of positivity” in a bid to secure a ceasefire with Israel and end the war in Gaza.
Alexander “will be released as part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire . . . and allow the entry of aid and humanitarian relief for our people in the Gaza Strip”, Hayya added.
A diplomat briefed on the talks confirmed the agreement to release Alexander came about after the US engaged directly with Hamas.
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