New Delhi, May 12 -- Hamas said on Monday that it would release the last-living American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander soon even as Israel continues to pound Gaza with clear indications of "intensification" of fighting in the war-ravaged territory.

While Hamas does hope for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has specified that there would be no ceasefire or prisoner release with Hamas. He said only a safe corridor would be provided for the release of Edan Alexander.

Edan Alexander has been held in Gaza since October 2023, when Hamas militants launched a coordinated land, sea, and air assault on Israel, killing over a thousand people and abducting around 250 individuals including Edan.

In a statement, Hamas' armed w...