Hamas says IDF halting military activity in Gaza to allow release of hostage

A Hamas source tells AFP that mediators informed it that Israel would pause military operations in Gaza for the handover of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

“Hamas was informed that at exactly 9:30 a.m., Israel began halting its reconnaissance, drone, and warplane flights, as well as combat operations, to create a safe corridor for the transfer and handover of Edan,” the source says.

A Hamas source tells Saudi news outlet a-Sharq al-Awsat that the halt has already begun.

However, Israel will not officially announce that it is halting activity, an unnamed Israeli official tells the Kan public broadcaster.

The IDF says only that it is establishing a “safe corridor” to enable Alexander’s release, the report says.

Hamas will hand over Alexander to Red Cross representatives, who will then bring him to Israeli forces inside Gaza. From there, he will be brought out of the Strip, similar to previous hostage releases.