The last US citizen held hostage by Hamas, Edan Alexander, has been reunited with his family after the Palestinian group released him on Monday.
Hamas said the release was a “goodwill gesture” to US President Donald Trump, who is touring Gulf Arab states this week, as Washington continues efforts to broker a ceasefire between the militants and Israel.
The 21-year-old Israeli-American had been serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when he was captured on the border of Gaza during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. During the assault, approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 hostages taken, making it the deadliest day in the nation’s history. In response, Israel launched a sustained military campaign in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas.
Following negotiations with the US on Sunday – mediated by Egypt and Qatar – the Palestinian group announced that it would release Alexander as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) paused military operations in the Palestinian enclave for several hours to allow Alexander’s transfer. He has since been reunited with his family at an Israeli military base.
US President Donald Trump was the first to announce that Alexander would be released, writing on his Truth Social account on Sunday that it was a “step taken in good faith” by Hamas towards ending the “very brutal war” and returning all living hostages and remains to their loved ones.
The next day, Trump confirmed that Alexander was being let go and congratulated his parents, family and friends. He also shared a video showing his special envoy Steve Witkoff, who personally traveled to Israel to oversee the transfer, giving Alexander’s mom a phone to talk to her son shortly after his release.
Alexander’s family later shared a statement thanking Trump and urging the Israeli government and negotiators to continue efforts to release the remaining 58 hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Alexander’s release came thanks to Israel’s military pressure in Gaza and political pressure by the US president.
IDF fire resumed after the release with authorities in Gaza saying an air strike killed three people and wounded several others at a shelter housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern part of the enclave.
Netanyahu emphasized that the temporary pause in military operations was solely to facilitate Alexander’s safe transfer and did not signify a broader truce. He further stated that Israel plans to intensify its military operations in Gaza.
