Hamas has handed over Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza, to the Red Cross, marking a significant development ahead of his release to Israel on Monday. This information was confirmed by both Hamas and the Israeli military in an official statement. The release of Alexander, 21, follows several days of negotiations between the militant group and the United States, aimed at establishing a ceasefire and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Hamas announced on Sunday night that it had agreed to free Alexander after extensive discussions with the U.S. The timing of his release is particularly notable, occurring just one day before U.S. President Donald Trump embarks on a Middle East tour, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. A native of New Jersey, Alexander was serving in the Israeli military near the Gaza border when he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
In an emotional interview with CNN in March, Alexander's mother, Yael, described her son as “such an American kid, full of life, very funny, very friendly.” Following the announcement of his release, the family expressed their gratitude, describing the news as “the greatest gift imaginable,” especially since it coincided with Mother’s Day. They thanked President Trump, his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and the U.S. administration for their relentless efforts in securing Alexander’s freedom. Yael Alexander boarded a flight to Israel on Sunday night to reunite with her son after his release.
Trump hailed Alexander’s release as “monumental news” in a post on Truth Social, viewing it as a “step taken in good faith” toward resolving the ongoing conflict and facilitating the return of all living hostages. Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi stated on Al Aqsa TV that the group directly negotiated with the U.S. to secure Alexander’s release, linking it to the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Witkoff clarified to CNN that the discussions with Hamas were indirect, and he is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Despite Alexander's release, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. Tragically, among the deceased hostages are four American citizens, including married couple Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, alongside Israeli soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. As Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis, reports indicate that the region is teetering on the brink of famine. Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid and commercial goods has persisted for over two months, severely depleting food supplies and driving up prices for basic goods.
Israel asserts that the blockade aims to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. However, international organizations argue that Israel's actions may violate international law and could be classified as using starvation as a weapon of war, a serious accusation that constitutes a potential war crime. As of now, Israel has not made any commitments regarding the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Netanyahu's office stated that the only agreement reached is for a “safe corridor” to facilitate Edan’s release, without any commitments to a ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners.
In the midst of this complex situation, Alexander's parents have been vocal advocates for his release. In her earlier statements, Yael expressed her hope and prayers to see her son again, articulating a mother’s longing: “I just want to hold him again, and to say ‘Edan, you’re safe, you’re home.’” As the situation continues to evolve, further updates will be provided on this developing story.
