GAZA CITY: An Israeli-American prisoner cros­sed into Israel on Mon­day after his release by Hamas amid a pause in fighting in Gaza, the Israeli military said, but there was no deal on a wider truce or prisoner releases as monitors warned of famine in the devastated enclave.

The armed wing of Hamas handed over the prisoner held in Gaza since Oct 2023 on Monday, ahe­ad of a regional visit by US President Donald Trump.

“The (Ezzedine) Al-Qassam Brigades have just released the Zionist soldier and American citizen Edan Alexander, following contacts with the US administration, as part of the efforts undertaken by mediators to achieve a ceasefire,” Hamas said in a statement.

Israel’s military said it had received Alexander after the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had facilitated his safe transfer from 19 months of captivity to Israeli authorities.

Fighting halted at midday in Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pause its operations to allow safe passage for the prisoner release.

Hamas said it was freeing Alexander as a goodwill gesture to US Pres­ident Donald Trump, who is visiting the region this week. Alexander’s release comes a day after Hamas revealed it was engaged in direct talks with Washin­gton towards a ceasefire.

“We affirm that serious and responsible negotiations yield results in the release of prisoners, while the continuation of aggression prolongs their suffering and may kill them,” Hamas said in a statement.

“We urge President Trump’s administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war,” it added.

Meanwhile, the UN- and NGO-backed Integr­ated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned Monday that Gaza was at “critical risk of famine”, with 22 percent of the population facing an imminent humanitarian “catastrophe” after more than two months of a total aid blockade by Israel.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2025