India, May 12 -- Palestinian militant group Hamas on Sunday announced that it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier, after more than 580 days of captivity. The young man is believed to be the last surviving American hostage.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the release would likely happen on Tuesday. The release is part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid to enter the war-ravaged Gaza strip.

An unnamed source also said that direct four-way talks were held between officials from the U.S., Qatar, Egypt and Hamas to secure Alexander's release.

Exiled Gaza Hamas chief, Khalil al-Hayya, said efforts to facilitate his release was jointly carried out by Qatar, Egy...