7 hours ago
Last Updated:May 12, 2025, 08:28 IST
Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage in Hamas custody, is expected to be released on Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
A demonstrator holds a sign showing the face of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. (AFP)
Hamas has finally agreed to release 21-year-old Edan Alexander, the last American hostage — an Israeli-American soldier — in a move that Qatar and Egypt have described as an “encouraging step" toward reviving stalled ceasefire talks in Gaza.
Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage in Hamas custody, is expected to be released on Tuesday, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
In a post Trump on Monday said: “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen."
Born In New Jersey, Signed Up For Israeli Army
Alexander, who was born and raised in New Jersey and later joined the Israeli Army, has been held in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks.
His release is part of a broader push to reach a ceasefire deal and allow humanitarian aid to flow into the war-ravaged enclave.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the October assault that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, has since left over 52,800 Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities.
Former US President Donald Trump, who is set to visit the Middle East this week, welcomed the news. “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," Trump posted on Truth Social. His special envoy, Adam Boehler, also called it a “positive step," while urging Hamas to return the remains of four other Americans.
Release Mediated By Multiple Countries
Negotiations leading to Alexander’s expected release were reportedly mediated through direct four-party talks involving officials from the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas. Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya confirmed that Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey had facilitated the effort, and said the group is now ready to “start intensive negotiations" for a broader prisoner exchange and final ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Hamas may be releasing Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward Trump. While the Israeli government reiterated that negotiations would continue under fire, it acknowledged that Alexander’s release could reopen talks for the remaining 59 hostages.
Israel maintains that its offensive will continue until all hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarized. Hamas, meanwhile, insists it will negotiate further releases only under a framework that includes ending the war and lifting the blockade.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Location : First Published:News world Who Is Edan Alexander? Hamas To Free Last Living US Hostage Amid Ceasefire Push
