Hamas has freed its last living United States citizen hostage from Gaza, 21-year-old soldier Edan Alexander. The move acts as an offer of goodwill towards the Trump administration that could eventuate into groundwork for a ceasefire with Israel.
Alexander, a dual-national serving in the Israel Defence Forces, spent 584 days in captivity after he was seized from his base on 7 October 2023. The deal was reached with little Israeli involvement.
While there is no ceasefire upon his return, Israel paused fighting from midday to handover, which came as UN-backed experts warned that half a million Palestinians face starvation in Gaza due to Israel’s weeks-long siege.
He was dressed in civilian clothes when handed over to a Red Cross official, and his family from the U.S. flew over to meet him after initial check-ups.
Alexander told Israeli soldiers that he was handcuffed with the other hostages in a cage inside a tunnel.
Trump took to his social platform Truth Social, to celebrate Alexander's release.
“Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage, is being released,” he posted.
“Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!”
In a statement, Hamas called for more work to be done to end the war on the U.S. government’s end.
“Following contacts with the US administration, to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings, and bring aid and relief to our people in Gaza,” it said.
“We urge President Trump’s administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war,” the statement added.”
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, thanked Trump for helping Israeli forces bring Alexander home.
“This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. This is a winning combination,” he said in a statement.
Netanyahu has insisted that military pressure is the best way to ensure the return of hostages, even with Trump stepping up calls to end the conflict.
Alexander's release came just before Trump visits the region for the first time since being reelected and after snubs towards the country's leadership.
This includes the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, Einav Zangauker, who called for a mass protest against the prime minister.
“Instead of ending the war and bringing everyone back, Netanyahu is preparing to expand the war this week. To execute the kidnapped who remain in captivity and to make the dead disappear,” she said.
“Instead of saving lives and bringing everyone back, he chose to turn our loved ones into corpses.”
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