The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for a “renewed” and “sustainable” ceasefire after facilitating a key hostage release in Gaza.

“We urgently need political will to save lives and reinstate the ceasefire. It is critical that civilians are spared from hostilities, humanitarian relief enters Gaza, and more families are reunited,” Mirjana Spoljaric, head of the ICRC, said in a written statement.

Spoljaric expressed her “relief” after Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander to ICRC.

“This nightmare, however, continues for the remaining hostages, their families, and hundreds of thousands of civilians across Gaza,” she noted.

The ICRC also reiterated that international humanitarian law requires the “unconditional” release of all hostages, further stressing that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is “catastrophic.”

“Under international humanitarian law, the rapid and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief for civilians must be allowed and facilitated. The ICRC also reiterates that it must be given access to Palestinian detainees held by Israelis,” the statement added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the release from Gaza of the last living Israeli American captive.

"The Secretary-General welcomes the release of Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli soldier who had been held hostage in Gaza since 7 October 2023. He is profoundly relieved that Mr. Alexander has been freed and is now returning to his family and loved ones after this harrowing ordeal," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General renews his urgent call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. Hostages must be treated humanely and with dignity," Dujarric added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "alarmed" by the latest data revealing a growing risk of famine across Gaza, with nearly a half-million people facing “catastrophic hunger” under Israel's nine-week aid blockade, his spokesman has said.

"I can tell you that the secretary-general is indeed alarmed by the findings released today, that one in every five people in Gaza is facing starvation, while the entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity and the risk of famine," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a news conference.

Citing the latest findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification System (IPC), a global initiative involving 17 UN agencies and NGOs, Dujarric said the report confirms that "470,000 people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger.

That's what we refer to as IPC Phase Five, which is the highest level of classification."

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said that it is ready to immediately engage in negotiations to reach a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

“Hamas is ready to immediately begin negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement for a sustainable ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, the exchange of prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza,” it said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the government hailed the return of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who was handed over by Hamas's armed wing after being held in Gaza captivity since October 2023.

"The Government of Israel warmly welcomes IDF (military) soldier Sergeant Edan Alexander, who has been returned from Hamas captivity," a statement from the prime minister's office said, adding: "The Government of Israel is committed to the return of all hostages and missing persons — both the living and the fallen."

More than 600 prominent figures from the film, media and cultural industries have criticised the BBC’s "bias in reporting," urging the British broadcaster to air a delayed Gaza documentary on the plight of medics in Gaza.

The open letter, addressed to BBC Director-General Tim Davie, calls for the release of Gaza: Medics Under Fire, which documents the experiences of Palestinian health workers operating under Israeli bombardment.

Signatories include Oscar-winning US actor Susan Sarandon, comedian Frankie Boyle, and Lindsey Hilsum, an English television journalist and writer.

Al Jazeera's Ramallah bureau chief has said that the Qatari news channel could resume its work in the Palestinian territories after President Mahmud Abbas lifted a ban in place since January.

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to lift the ban on the Al Jazeera network and allow its crews to resume work in the Palestinian territories starting tomorrow morning", Waleed Omari said in a statement to Jerusalem's Foreign Press Agency.

An official Palestinian source confirmed the lifting of the ban.

The Red Cross has said it had successfully facilitated the release and transfer of a hostage who had been held in Gaza by Palestinian group Hamas to Israeli authorities.

Earlier in the day, Hamas said it had freed Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as fighting paused in Gaza but there was no agreement on a wider truce or hostage release as a global hunger monitor warned of famine in the devastated enclave.

Israel's military has said that US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander had been transferred to its forces in Gaza after Hamas's armed wing said it had released him.

"The returning hostage is currently being accompanied by IDF (military) special forces on his return to Israeli territory, where he will undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family," a military statement said.

Hamas has called on US President Donald Trump's administration to "continue its efforts" to end the war in Gaza after the group said it handed over US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

"We affirm that serious and responsible negotiations yield results in the release of prisoners" and "urge President Trump's administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war", Hamas said in a statement.