Egypt and Qatar have welcomed an announcement by Hamas that it would release US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza, as part of direct talks with the United States towards a ceasefire, AFP reports.

In a joint statement, the countries, who along with the US have mediated talks between Hamas and Israel, called it “a gesture of goodwill and an encouraging step toward a return to the negotiating table to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of prisoners and detainees, and ensure the safe and unhindered flow of aid to address the tragic conditions in the strip”.