Hamas said earlier on Monday that it will release Israel in the coming hours - American hostage Edan Alexander, allegedly the last alive U.S. citizen of the Palestinian militants group in Gaza.

"The Cassam Brigade has decided to release prisoners of Zionists who possess U.S. citizenship, i.e. "Idan Alexander," a Hamas spokesman said in a brief statement earlier Monday, "a Hamas spokesman said in a brief statement earlier Monday.

Hamas had previously suggested that such a release was a signal of goodwill, which was "part of the steps to achieve a ceasefire, open intersections and allow aid."

If successful, the release will come the day after President Donald Trump will travel to the Middle East on a trip, which is expected to intensify Israel's efforts to sweep Israel into a military offensive in Gaza, from which aid has been cut off for weeks.

Trump's trip is not expected to include a stay in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement Monday that it was only committed to a safe corridor to allow Alexander to release, rather than any ceasefire or release of Palestinian prisoners or detainees.

"We are in a critical day, during which Hamas made a proposal that would allow our hostages to be released," the statement said. "The negotiations will continue to be under fire and be prepared to strengthen the fight," he added.

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan last week to capture the entire enclave where more than 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza will be "removed out" of Israel's military launch to defeat Hamas' operations.

Alexander, 21, was born and raised in New Jersey and served in the Israeli army with about 250 people during the terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.

Israeli officials said 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led attack, marking a major escalation of the decades of conflict.

Health officials operating in Hamas said more than 51,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip attacks since 2007.

According to Israeli officials, Alexander is one of at least 59 hostages in Gaza, although less than half are believed to be alive. His family confirmed in a statement Sunday that it was what he was looking forward to his release.