Hamas has released American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander. He is en route to Ream in southern Israel, where his mother is waiting for him. His release comes after direct talks between Hamas and the US. The Palestinian group says the US citizen was released “a short while ago following contacts with the US administration”. “This comes as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement. Hamas also urged the US administration “to continue its efforts to end this brutal war waged by the war criminal Netanyahu against children, women, and defenceless civilians in the Gaza Strip”.