Israel said set to send team to Cairo after release of Alexander in bid for wider hostage deal

Israel is set to send a team to Cairo to restart talks aimed at reaching a deal with Hamas after the terror group releases American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Citing Arab officials, the US broadsheet reports that talks will aim at a ceasefire that would include the release of additional hostages and the resumed entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, where assistance has been blocked since early March.

However, an Israeli source quoted by the Maariv daily says Israel has yet to decide on whether to send a delegation to Egypt for the talks.

The US has portrayed Alexander’s release as a first step toward a wider deal that would free all hostages and end the war. Israel says it is planning a major offensive in Gaza that would see it take control of the entire territory unless a deal is reached.