Hamas says it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday

An American-Israeli soldier taken captive and held for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip is expected to be released on Monday, Hamas said, as part of a goodwill gesture for the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire between the warring sides.

Edan Alexander was snatched from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the war in Gaza. His expected release would be the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, when it unleashed fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.

Israel has also promised to intensify its offensive, including by seizing the territory and displacing much of its population again. Before the ceasefire’s demise, Israel blocked all imports from entering the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian crisis there and sparking warnings of a risk of famine if the blockade isn’t lifted. Israel says the steps are meant to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement on Israel’s terms.

Israel says that, including Alexander, 59 hostages remain in captivity, about 24 who are said to be alive and the remaining are deceased. Many of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were freed in ceasefire deals.