Hamas on Monday released Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, marking a major milestone in the long-running negotiations between Israel, the terror group, and the United States that began when terrorists invaded Israel and kidnapped hundreds of civilians.
Alexander, who holds duel Israeli-American citizenship, was handed over to representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Israeli military said. The Red Cross will deliver Alexander to a special Israeli military unit and he will then be taken to a reception facility in Reim for medical and psychological examinations before being reunited with his family and airlifted to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
The terror group said Sunday it would release the 21-year-old unconditionally after talks with the Trump administration.
Alexander’s parents traveled from New Jersey to Israel for their son’s release.
“This was 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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, landed in Israel on Monday morning and is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later, according to Israeli media.
“The expected release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander without anything in return will be possible due to the vigorous policy that we have led with the backing of President Trump, and thanks to the military pressure of IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu’s office said in its statement.
The office said it would continue negotiations on freeing the remaining hostages as it also makes preparations to intensify fighting in Gaza.
It underscored that Israel has not agreed to a ceasefire or to free Palestinian prisoners, “only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan.”
Alexander, who was born in Israel and raised largely in New Jersey, was captured during the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023. He joined the Israel Defense Forces after graduating high school three years ago.
Alexander’s family expressed gratitude for the deal to bring him home in a statement on Sunday.
“Today, on Mother’s Day, we received the greatest gift imaginable — news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza,” the family wrote. “We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don’t stop. We hope our son’s release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families. No hostage should be left behind.”
Alexander was one of some 250 hostages taken to Gaza on October 7. So far, cease-fire deals and Israel military rescue missions have secured the release of 145 hostages and the bodies of dozens of others. Fifty-nine Israelis remain in Hamas custody, including 24 hostages who are believed to be alive.
The bodies of four Americans who are feared to be dead are still being held by militants in Gaza: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai.