Hamas releases Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israel state and soldiers, aiming to resume ceasefire negotiations and end Israel's punitive blockade of the besieged and bombed Gaza Strip.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed on Monday night that it facilitated the transfer of soldiers. A picture was released showing Alexander with Hamas members and Red Cross officials.
Hamas said it has used Alexander as a gesture of kindness to U.S. President Donald Trump, who will visit the Arab Gulf nation this week.
The fight briefly paused to allow handover after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would allow safe passage through the release.
"Edan Alexander, the American hostage deceased, will be released by Hamas. Good news!" Trump wrote on his truth social platform.
A statement from Netanyahu's office said: "The Israeli government warmly welcomes Sergeant Edan Alexander, who was imprisoned by Hamas."
"The Israeli government is committed to the return of all hostages and missing persons, including life and depravity." The captive family accused Netanyahu of putting his political survival above the captives still in Gaza.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric welcomed Alexander's release in a statement while calling for a protracted ceasefire in Gaza.
"We are pleased that there is another family reunion today. However, this nightmare continues with the rest of the hostages, their families and thousands of civilians throughout Gaza."
Al Jazeera's Hamdah Salhut reported that Alexander's mother arrived in Israel on Monday and was taken to Rem military base, where the two were expected to reunite in the evening.
Despite its release, Israel has made no commitment to a broader ceasefire. "There is nothing to exchange, there is no release of Palestinian prisoners, no pause in the fight," Salcht said. "If any negotiation is to be conducted, they will happen in the fire."
Israeli political analyst Akiva Eldar said Alexander's release stimulated Israel's joy and frustration. "What we're seeing is what President Trump can do, Netanyahu can't or is unwilling to do," he told Al Jazeera in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Prime Minister faces widespread calls for an end to the Gaza war to ensure the release of prisoners, but he said plans to expand Israel's offensive.
“Today is a key point,” Elda explained. "Because the Israeli public is aware of the fact that if you want to make a deal, if you want your son to come home, you can do it. But for that, you have to be a leader like President Trump, not Netanyahu."
Al Jazeera's report in Deir El-Balah in central Gaza said that the daily suffering of Palestinians does not seem to have changed: "Palestinians are destroyed.
"The IPC (Integrated Food Security Stage Classification) released today says 93% of Gaza's population lives through acute food insecurity. This is because of the lockdown imposed by the Gaza Strip on the Gaza Strip."
She added: "The Palestinians asked, 'What is next? What will this version bring? Are there any active negotiations?
The Gaza Health Ministry said the bombing was still ongoing, and Israeli strikes were killed on Monday, with at least 15 people killed in one strike.
Humanitarian groups warn that Gaza is on the verge of mass hunger. The IPC reports that 500,000 Palestinians face imminent famine.
According to IPC, Israel has blocked entry into basic supplies for 70 days, "the goods that are essential for people to survive are either exhausted or expected to be exhausted in the coming weeks."
Cindy McCain, head of the United Nations World Food Programme, urged immediate international action. "Families in Gaza were hungry while sitting on the border food," she said. "If we waited until the famine was confirmed, it was too late for many."
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell also issued a clear warning. "The risk of famine doesn't come suddenly," she said. "It unfolds where blockages, health systems are cut and where children leave no minimum of survival."
She added that hunger has become a “everyday reality for children across the Gaza Strip.”
Netanyahu and his tough government remain committed to escalating military movements in Gaza.
Itama Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister of major alliance partners, reiterated his position that war must continue and that humanitarian aid should be prevented from entering the territory.
"Israel has not promised a ceasefire," Netanyahu's office said in a statement, claiming military pressure forced Hamas to release Alexander. Critics retort that the release was purely due to direct contact with Hamas.
Netanyahu met our numbers on Monday, including Trump’s Steve Witkoff and Ambassador Mike Huckabee. His office described the meeting as a “last effort” to push a prisoner deal before the battle expanded.
Huckabee said Trump and his administration “hopefully Alexander’s long-term release” marked the end of the terrible war.
Israel plans to send its delegation to Doha for talks on Tuesday, but clear military operations will continue. "The Prime Minister made it clear that negotiations will only take place under the fire," his office said.