Hamas has announced it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander as part of efforts to ensure aid is allowed into Gaza and to secure a new ceasefire deal with Israel.
The group's leader Khalil al-Hayya made the announcement on social media, but it's not clear when the release will occur.
The Reuters news agency reported it could happen as early as Tuesday.
He said the development was a result of discussions with Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye, and the announcement came ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East this week.
"As part of the efforts being made by our mediating brothers to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days," his statement said.
"The movement has expressed a high degree of positivity, and the release of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US citizen, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip.
"The movement affirms its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations and exert serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners by mutual consent, and administer the Gaza Strip by an independent professional committee."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had been told of the development by the United States.
"The United States has informed Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of the hostages under the original Witkoff outline — which Israel has already accepted," a spokesperson said.
"Israel is preparing for the possibility that this move will materialise."
"According to Israeli policy, the negotiations will take place under fire with a commitment to achieving all war goals."
The Israeli government has repeatedly said it would back a proposal to release hostages drafted by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which Hamas has previously said was heavily weighted towards Israel.
Aid blockade in Gaza in place since March
Israel has imposed a total aid blockade on Gaza for more than two months, with humanitarian groups warning the strip is on the brink of total famine.
There are 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, but only 21 are believed to be alive.
There are grave concerns for the wellbeing of three others, with Mr Trump saying last week they had been killed.
Ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been stalled for months, with each side accusing the other of blocking progress.
Hamas has alleged Israel is avoiding negotiations on formally ending the war, something it says should have begun back in February during the last ceasefire.
In recent weeks, it has offered to release all of hostages in exchange for a long-term ceasefire.
Israel has demanded Hamas lay down its weapons as part of any deal — something the militant group has said is a red line in talks, and would only help Israel achieve its territorial ambitions in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump is due to arrive in the Middle East on Tuesday, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
While focusing on ties with Arab nations, there was speculation he would use the trip to present a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Israel announces military expansion into Gaza
Last week, Israel announced a major expansion of its military offensive in Gaza, laying the groundwork for total and indefinite occupation of the strip as part of its claimed campaign against Hamas.
More than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the war in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.
The war began after Hamas's deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, when more than 1,100 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostages.
The last ceasefire, which ran for six weeks from late January, resulted in the release of 33 living and dead hostages.
Two weeks after the ceasefire term ended, Israel resumed its intense bombardment of Gaza.
