Hamas has said it will release a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza as the group revealed it was engaged in direct talks with the United States towards a ceasefire in the territory, AFP reports.

“Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of efforts towards a ceasefire” and the reopening of aid crossings, Hamas said in a statement.

The family of 21-year-old Alexander said they had been informed that he might be released “in the coming days”.

US President Donald Trump hailed the “monumental news” in a post on social media, describing it as a “good faith gesture”.

“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict,” he added.