Axios: Trump’s envoy heads to Israel as Hamas prepares to release American hostage “Without anything in return”

U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Israel on May 12, ahead of the planned release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Witkoff has already spoken to Alexander's parents and notified them of Hamas' intentions. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that American officials had informed Israel of Hamas' plan to release Alexander “as a gesture to the U.S., without any conditions or anything in return,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Axios.

A U.S. official said Trump's Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, was also heading to Israel with Alexander’s parents to retrieve their son from Hamas captivity. Alexander has been held in Gaza for over 550 days.

On May 11, Hamas announced that it would release Alexander as part of its efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and resume humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. While Israel will not be required to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange, sources say the country must agree to a temporary ceasefire and a halt to drone flights over Gaza to ensure Alexander’s safe passage out of the enclave.

Alexander is currently the only living American citizen among the 59 hostages still held by Hamas. Of these, only 21 are confirmed alive, while the status of three remains uncertain. Four American hostages — Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judi Haggai, and Omer Nuetra — are confirmed dead.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the news on Truth Social, stating that the release of Alexander was “a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.” He added: “Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.”

Trump’s remarks echoed Hamas' recent statement indicating its openness to a comprehensive deal. The group said it is “ready to immediately begin intensive negotiations and invest serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, reach an agreed-upon exchange of prisoners and a solution for governance in the Gaza Strip by independent professional individuals.”

Israel, however, has rejected the prospect of a full agreement for now and has instead called for a limited arrangement focused on a temporary ceasefire.

In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt described Hamas’ decision as “an encouraging step to bring the parties back to the negotiating table for a ceasefire in Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and detainees, and guaranteeing the safe and unhindered flow of aid to address the tragic conditions in the Strip.”

They stressed the “urgent need to end the war on Gaza, to avoid further humanitarian repercussions” and called for progress “with good intentions towards achieving comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in the region.”

By Khagan Isayev