Hamas has agreed to release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as part of renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, a move hailed by U.S. and international officials as a potential turning point in the ongoing crisis.
Alexander, 21, is believed to be the last known American citizen held alive in Gaza. Captured during Hamas’s October 7 attack while serving in an elite Israeli infantry unit, he has been in captivity for 583 days. His release, announced just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to the Middle East, is being framed by Hamas as a goodwill gesture aimed at advancing ceasefire negotiations and allowing humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
A senior Hamas official told the BBC that direct talks with a U.S. envoy in Qatar had paved the way for Alexander’s handover. A temporary suspension of Israeli military operations, including airstrikes, is expected to facilitate the safe transfer.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that while no ceasefire deal had been reached, it had agreed to a “safe corridor” to enable Alexander’s release. Officials emphasized that military operations against Hamas would continue, framing the hostage’s recovery as a result of sustained pressure on the militant group.
President Trump confirmed the news in a post on Truth Social, calling it “monumental” and “a step taken in good faith.”
Alexander’s family released a statement expressing overwhelming relief:
“We have received the greatest gift imaginable — news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity. We are deeply grateful to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the U.S. administration for their tireless efforts. We urge negotiators not to stop now. Let Edan’s return mark the beginning of freedom for the remaining 58 hostages.”
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage during the 2023 attack, 59 are still believed to be in Gaza, with as few as 24 potentially alive. Five are American citizens, but Alexander was thought to be the only one still living.
Negotiators from Hamas and the U.S. are scheduled to meet again early Monday to finalize the details of the release and discuss broader ceasefire terms. What happens next could determine whether this gesture becomes the foundation for lasting calm — or another fleeting moment in a prolonged conflict.
