Final American hostage released by Hamas
Hamas has released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday - over a year and a half after he was put in their captivity. The terror group claimed it was releasing the last known living American hostage as a goodwill gesture to try to revive talks on ending the war. An Israeli official confirmed to the Associated Press that Alexander's transfer was underway without providing specifics.
Alexander, 21, was taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas' bloody attack on October 7, 2023, which set off the war in Gaza . Of the 251 hostages taken during the Hamas attack, 59 remain in the enclave, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Donald Trump 's envoy Steve Witkoff said in March that freeing New Jersey-native Alexander was a 'top priority.'
The president and his staff have frequently mentioned Alexander by name in the past few months. 'Every time they say Edan's name, it's like they didn't forget. They didn't forget he's American, and they're working on it,' Edan's mother, Yael Alexander, told The Associated Press in February. Hamas released a video of Alexander in November during the Thanksgiving weekend, his favorite holiday, his mother said.
The video was difficult to watch as he cried and pleaded for help, but it was a relief to see the most recent sign that he was alive, she said. A native of Tenafly, New Jersey, where his parents and two younger siblings still live, Alexander moved to Israel in 2022 after high school and enlisted in the military. His release comes ahead of the president's visit to the Middle East this week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there will be no ceasefire or prisoner releases in exchange for Alexander's release . 'Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan,' he said. 'We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages.' He claimed Alexander had only been released due to 'military pressure' in the Gaza strip.
All future talks would continue 'under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting', according to the Prime Minister's office. Israel restarted their assault on Gaza in March after a ceasefire brokered in January fell apart. No aid has entered the territory since March 2. Last week Netanyahu said Israel now plan to capture the entire Gaza strip and leave troops there indefinitely.
The plan would see hundreds of thousands of Palestinians pushed to southern Gaza, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The UN rejected the plan, saying it would leave large parts of the population, including the most vulnerable, without supplies. Trump is due in the Middle East this week, visiting Saudi Arabia then taking trips to Qatar and the UAE.
The president called Alexander's planned release 'a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators - Qatar and Egypt - to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. 'Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!'
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