Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Jerusalem

Local media report that Israel had no idea of the latest direct contact between the US and Hamas officials until after a deal was struck on the expected release of Edan Alexander.

There have been growing signs of strain in relations between President Trump and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks.

While Trump wants to remove the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon through negotiations, Netanyahu favours military action.

On Gaza, Washington continues to push for a new ceasefire and hostage release deal, even as Israel’s security cabinet has approved an intensified offensive.

On Sunday, NBC news quoted US sources saying that the president privately viewed Israel’s strategy in the strip as "a wasted effort" - "at odds" with his own plan for rebuilding there.

As our correspondent Yolande Knell just reported, Israel has committed to providing a "safe corridor" in Gaza for Edan Alexander to be released.

We are now getting reports that Israel has paused "combat operations" in Gaza, as the handover happens.

A Hamas source tells the AFP news agency: "Hamas was informed that at exactly 9:30 [07:30 BST], Israel began halting its reconnaissance, drone, and warplane flights, as well as combat operations, to create a safe corridor for the transfer and handover of Edan."

This release comes at a pivotal timepublished at 10:01 British Summer Time

10:01 BST

Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent, in Jerusalem

The announcement of the first hostage release since Israel shattered a ceasefire in March comes just ahead of President Trump’s visit to the Middle East.

It follows reports of direct talks between US officials and Hamas and shows a willingness on the part of Israel’s closest ally to push ahead with ceasefire negotiations.

"Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict," Trump said on social media.

Hamas has previously refused to free more captives without Israel first committing to a path to end the 19-month-long war – a condition that the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected.

His office said Israel had not committed to a ceasefire but only "a safe corridor" for the expected release of Edan Alexander.

This development comes at a pivotal time: Israel is threatening a new major military offensive in Gaza and has stopped all aid from entering for more than two months causing a deep humanitarian crisis.

Image source, Getty Images

Edan Alexander is a 21-year-old dual Israeli-American, believed to be the last living America hostage in Gaza.

Born in Tel Aviv but raised in New Jersey, Alexander was serving in the elite infantry on the border with Gaza when he was captured by Hamas during the attacks on 7 October, 2023.

His family said they had "received the greatest gift imaginable" at hearing he will be able to return home.

"We hope our son's release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families."

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Good morning from London.

We're expecting Hamas soon to release US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander - who is believed to be the last living American hostage in Gaza.

The 21-year-old's release comes ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East on Tuesday. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the release would not lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, or the release of Palestinian prisoners.

We’ll bring you all the latest as today’s handover unfolds - including from our teams in the region.