Hamas will release the Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander held in Gaza as a part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave, a senior Hamas official told Reuters.

In a statement, the exiled Gaza Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya said efforts to facilitate the release have been jointly carried out by Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.

"The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed-upon manner," Hayya added.

Israel attacked Yemen's Hudaida after the Israeli army said it had warned residents of three ports under Houthi control to evacuate, the Houthi interior ministry has said.

The Israeli army has issued a warning to Yemenis at three Red Sea ports in western Yemen — Ras Isa, Hudaida and Salif —telling them to evacuate the areas ahead of a potential military attack.

In a statement on X, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said: “Warning to all those present at the seaports under the control of the Houthi regime: Ras Isa port, Hudaida port, and Salif port.”

“This is an urgent and important warning. Due to the Houthi regime’s use of these ports for its operations, we urge everyone in these areas to evacuate immediately to ensure your safety,” Adraee added.

The Israeli military did not specify a deadline for the evacuation but stated the warning would remain in effect “until further notice.”

Hamas and US representatives have held direct talks in Doha in recent days, two officials from the Palestinian militant group told AFP, with one saying there had been "progress" towards a truce in Gaza.

"Direct talks have taken place in Doha between the Hamas leadership and the United States regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, a prisoner exchange and the entry of humanitarian aid," said a senior Hamas official, adding that the talks "are still ongoing".

Talks between Hamas and the US administration regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave were underway, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

US President Donald Trump recently repeated a pledge to help get food to Palestinians in Gaza.

A US-backed mechanism for getting aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington's envoy to Israel also said on Friday.

There was no immediate comment from the US State Department.

At least 26 Palestinians, including eight children, have been killed in a series of Israeli attacks targeting displaced civilians across Gaza, medics have said.

Israeli peace activists have called on Türkiye to build bridges between Palestinians and Israelis and advance a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Middle East region.

“History has shown that eventually all conflicts end. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict will end, too,” Mouaz Inoun, an organiser of “It’s Time” coalition, told Anadolu.

“It is high time to work harder to stop the bloodshed and destruction in Gaza and create a future based on equality, dignity, reconciliation, justice, and peace, as Israelis and Palestinians."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has claimed that the army will only “secure” the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza but will not take part in distributing it amid a stifling siege on the enclave.

The military “will not distribute the aid but will work to secure its transfer to Gaza,” Saar told a joint press conference with his new German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in West Jerusalem.

His comments came just two days after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced the launch of an American humanitarian effort for Gaza during a press event at the US Embassy in West Jerusalem.

Women in Gaza have to be strong for their children. 'I have a son; I can't leave him to someone else', Palestinian mother Ula Husso says.

Palestinian artist, poet, and activist Lina Abojaradeh explains how murals, poetry, and comics can transcend headlines to evoke empathy, challenge dominant narratives, and empower the next generation at the NEXT 2025 forum in Istanbul.