In a significant development, Edan Alexander, the last US citizen held hostage by Hamas, has been reunited with his family after the Palestinian group released him as a “goodwill gesture” to US President Donald Trump. The 21-year-old Israeli-American was captured during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the taking of around 250 hostages, making it the deadliest day in the nation’s history.
The release of Alexander came after negotiations between the US, Egypt, and Qatar on Sunday, with Hamas announcing that it would free him 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, and he has since been reunited with his family at an Israeli military base.
US President Donald Trump was instrumental in securing Alexander’s release, announcing 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. Trump also shared a video showing his special envoy Steve Witkoff giving Alexander’s mom a phone to talk to her son shortly after his release.
Alexander’s family has expressed their gratitude to Trump and urged the Israeli government and negotiators to continue efforts to release the remaining 58 hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed Alexander’s release to Israel’s military pressure in Gaza and political pressure by the US president. However, Netanyahu emphasized that the temporary pause in military operations was solely to facilitate Alexander’s safe transfer and did not signify a broader truce, stating that Israel plans to intensify its military operations in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with IDF fire resuming after Alexander’s release, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring several others at a shelter housing displaced families in Khan Younis. As the conflict continues, the international community remains hopeful that the release of Alexander will be a step towards a ceasefire and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the region.
