Hamas says Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will be released Hamas said Sunday it will release Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage in Gaza, as part of wider efforts to reach a ceasefire. "It turns out that the United States has been holding direct talks with the terror group, with Hamas, at least for a few days, trying to get this 'gesture' ... ahead of Donald Trump's visit to the region", FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky said, adding that Trump's visit does not include Israel.