An American-Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released by Hamas on Monday. Edan Alexander, believed to be the last living U.S. citizen held captive in Gaza, was handed over to Red Cross representatives in the enclave’s southern city of Khan Younis.
The 21-year-old was subsequently transferred to Israeli special forces inside the Gaza Strip, the country’s military confirmed in a statement Monday.
Alexander’s family told NBC News that President Donald Trump had expressed a desire to meet with Alexander during his upcoming visit to Qatar later this week. However, they added that such a meeting would be contingent upon Alexander’s wishes and medical condition.
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Hamas had confirmed the release earlier in the day, suggesting the move was part of “the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid” into the Gaza Strip.
“The Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release the captive Zionist soldier who holds American citizenship,” Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida said in a statement on Telegram.
Ahead of the release, Israel reportedly paused its military operations in Gaza, including airstrikes and drone artillery.
However, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement clarifying that Israel was only committing to providing a safe corridor to facilitate Alexander’s release. The statement explicitly stated this was not a ceasefire or a release of Palestinian prisoners or detainees.
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“We are in critical days, during which Hamas has a proposal before it that would allow for the release of our hostages,” the statement read, adding, “Negotiations will continue under fire and alongside preparations to intensify the fighting.”
The release occurs amidst protracted negotiations for a potential second ceasefire agreement with Israel, which have shown slow progress. The majority of hostages captured during the October 7th attacks have either been returned during a brief ceasefire period that lasted from January to March or have died in captivity. Approximately 59 other hostages reportedly remain held by Hamas.
The Israeli military has continued its advance into the Gaza Strip, moving further into the territory than at any previous point in the conflict. Top Israeli defense officials were reportedly drawing up plans for a full-scale occupation of the territory as of April, sources told Bloomberg. Israel had seized nearly half of Gaza’s land by April 17, following the collapse of the initial ceasefire in March.
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Adding to the complex situation, Hamas has reportedly faced difficulties in paying its fighters due to shortening supply chains and pressure from Israeli operations.
The conflict ignited over two years ago with Hamas’s October 7th attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages.
The development also comes as Donald Trump is reportedly scheduled to engage in negotiations with various Arab nations this week, with Israel seen as a crucial element in his foreign policy objectives in the region.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Hamas is reportedly preparing to release Edan Alexander, the last surviving American hostage held in Gaza, despite a lack of significant progress on a potential second ceasefire agreement with Israel, Reuters reported Monday.
Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), is expected to be freed from Hamas captivity. According to a source who spoke to Reuters, the move is reportedly intended as a gesture of goodwill towards President Donald Trump. This comes while approximately 59 other hostages remain held by the terror group.
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Reacting to the news, Trump stated on Truth Social Monday, “EDAN ALEXANDER, AMERICAN HOSTAGE THOUGHT DEAD, TO BE RELEASED BY HAMAS. GREAT NEWS!”
The reported release occurs outside of ongoing, yet slow-moving, negotiations for a broader ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. The majority of hostages captured during the October 7th attacks have either been returned during a brief ceasefire period that lasted from January to March or have died in captivity.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has advanced further into the Gaza Strip than at any previous point in the conflict. Top Israeli defense officials were reportedly drawing up plans for a full-scale occupation of the territory as of April, sources told Bloomberg. Israel had seized nearly half of Gaza’s land by April 17, following the collapse of the initial ceasefire in March.
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Adding to the complex situation, Hamas has reportedly faced difficulties in paying its fighters due to shortening supply chains and pressure from Israeli operations.
The conflict ignited over two years ago with Hamas’s October 7th attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages.
The development also comes as Donald Trump is reportedly scheduled to engage in negotiations with various Arab nations this week.
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