JERUSALEM — Hamas has agreed to release the last living American hostage held in Gaza, mediators and Israeli officials said on Monday, marking a potential breakthrough in protracted negotiations over remaining captives from the ongoing conflict.
The agreement was confirmed by Qatari and Egyptian mediators involved in the indirect talks. The hostage, identified by U.S. officials as an American citizen whose name has not been publicly released pending family notification, is expected to be handed over in the coming days, according to statements from officials familiar with the deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the development in a brief statement, saying the release represented “progress” after months of intense diplomatic efforts. “We have been working around the clock to bring our people home,” Trump said.
Details of the specific terms of the agreement remained limited. Mediators indicated the release forms part of a phased arrangement that could include a temporary humanitarian pause in hostilities, though full implementation was still subject to verification by all parties. Hamas officials described the move as a “humanitarian gesture” in response to international pressure, according to the group’s Telegram channel.
The American hostage is believed to be one of the last living foreign nationals still held by Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attacks that triggered the current war in Gaza. Israeli authorities have previously stated that several hostages remain unaccounted for, with some confirmed dead based on intelligence and forensic evidence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government was coordinating closely with U.S. counterparts and mediators to ensure the safe return. “The state of Israel will continue to work to bring all hostages home, both living and dead,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office read.
The development comes amid broader ceasefire discussions that have repeatedly stalled over issues including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, the flow of humanitarian aid, and the fate of Hamas leadership. Palestinian health authorities have reported high casualties in the conflict, though independent verification of overall figures remains challenging.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari confirmed that technical teams were working on the logistics of the handover. “We are hopeful this step will lead to further progress,” he told reporters in Doha.
As of Monday afternoon, no exact timeline for the physical release had been publicly announced. U.S. officials said they were preparing to receive the hostage and provide immediate medical and psychological support upon return.
Negotiations for the remaining hostages and a more comprehensive end to hostilities are expected to continue in parallel.
