Who is Edan Alexander, the Israeli-American hostage to be freed by Hamas?

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas announced on Sunday, following discussions with representatives of the United States, that it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, held in Palestinian territory since the attacks of October 7, 2023.

"Edan Alexander will be released as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open border crossings, and allow aid and rescue services to reach our people" in the Gaza Strip, Hamas said in a statement.

Minutes earlier, the group announced it had held direct discussions with the United States in Doha, in which there was "progress" toward a truce in the Gaza Strip, an official from the Palestinian Islamist movement told AFP.

Another Hamas representative reported that "progress has been made (...), particularly regarding the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip."

On March 18, Israel broke a two-month truce and resumed its offensive in the Gaza Strip to force Hamas to release the hostages still held since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

A ceasefire between January 19 and March 17 allowed the release of 33 Israeli hostages from Gaza, including eight who died, in exchange for the release of some 1,800 Palestinians held by Israel.

Negotiations to end the fighting, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, have so far been unsuccessful.

Hamas is calling for a "comprehensive settlement" and on April 18 rejected an Israeli proposal for a truce of at least 45 days, which included the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and authorization to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel, for its part, demands the return of all hostages and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

Alexander was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, at the age of 19. He was serving as a soldier in an elite infantry unit on the Gaza border when he was abducted by Palestinian militants.

The young man was born in Tel Aviv and grew up in the U.S. state of New Jersey. He returned to Israel after high school to join the army.

Now 21, he is believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza.

Alexander's release had already been discussed between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler.

Steve Witkoff, special envoy for US President Donald Trump, called Alexander's release an "absolute priority" a few weeks ago. Hamas has so far released 38 hostages under a short-lived ceasefire that began on January 19.