Bangladesh, May 12 -- In a dramatic development that could shift the fragile dynamics of the Gaza conflict, US President Donald Trump announced that Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, the last known living US hostage held in Gaza. This move, Trump suggested, is a “good faith” gesture designed to facilitate broader ceasefire talks and to allow humanitarian aid deliveries into the besieged Palestinian territory.

Alexander had been captured during Hamass October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel – a highly coordinated assault that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in approximately 250 hostages being taken into Gaza. His imminent release, confirmed by Hamas in a sta...