By Mohammed Al Ragawi and Rania Abu Shamala
JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL (AA) – US President Donald Trump’s envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, and the parents of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander arrived in Israel on Monday ahead of his expected release from Gaza.
Israel’s Army Radio said Boehler’s arrival came hours before Alexander, the last known living US hostage held in Gaza, who is set to be released by Hamas on Monday.
Trump said Sunday that Hamas' forthcoming release of the soldier marks a "step taken in good faith" towards the US and regional mediators, signaling that it might be the first of the "final steps" needed to end Israel's war.
According to Hamas, the soldier’s release would be among several steps aimed at facilitating a ceasefire, reopening border crossings, and allowing humanitarian aid and relief supplies into the Gaza Strip.