Hamas to release hostage as part of direct Gaza talks with US

Hamas said it would 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 war-battered territory.

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

It was not immediately clear when 21-year-old Alexander would be released.

Earlier, two Hamas officials told AFP…