An individual holds a poster of hostage Edan Alexander throughout a rally to mark the primary anniversary of the October seventh terror assaults on Israel on October 6, 2024 in New York Metropolis.
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An American-Israeli soldier held hostage for greater than 19 months within the Gaza Strip was launched by Hamas on Monday.
Edan Alexander, who’s believed to be the final dwelling U.S. citizen held captive in Gaza, was handed over to Purple Cross representatives within the enclave’s southern metropolis of Khan Younis.
The 21-year-old was then transferred to to Israeli particular forces contained in the Gaza Strip, the nation’s navy stated in an announcement Monday. They subsequently returned him to Israeli territory the place “he’ll endure an preliminary medical evaluation and meet along with his household,” the assertion added.
President Donald Trump congratulated Alexander’s “great dad and mom, household, and buddies,” on the discharge in a put up on Fact Social.
Alexander’s household earlier informed NBC Information that Trump had expressed the want to meet with Alexander throughout his go to to Qatar later this week, however added that the assembly can be topic to Alexander’s needs and medical situation.
Autos belonging to the Worldwide Committee of the Purple Cross are seen after Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, introduced the discharge of Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli twin nationwide soldier held captive in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Might 12, 2025.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Photos
Hamas confirmed the discharge earlier within the day. Shortly after Alexander was freed, the militant group stated in a information launch that the transfer was a part of “the steps being taken to attain a ceasefire, open the crossings, and enable assist” into the Gaza Strip. “We urge the Trump administration to proceed its efforts to finish this brutal battle,” it added.
Israel on Monday paused its navy operations, together with airstrikes and drone artillery, in Gaza forward of the discharge, in accordance with NBC Information’ crew on the bottom.
However the workplace of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in an announcement Monday that it was committing solely to a protected hall to permit Alexander’s launch, moderately than any ceasefire or launch of Palestinian prisoners or detainees.
“We’re in vital days, throughout which Hamas has a proposal earlier than it that may enable for the discharge of our hostages,” the assertion stated, including, “Negotiations will proceed below fireplace and alongside preparations to accentuate the preventing.”
The Israeli safety Cupboard final week authorized a plan to seize the whole enclave below which greater than 2 million Palestinians dwelling in Gaza can be “moved” out of the strip as Israel’s navy launched operations to defeat Hamas.
Welcoming the information that he can be freed, Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday stated in a put up on X that Israel is “based on a profound dedication to mutual duty, and we’re obligated to proceed doing every thing in our energy to convey again all of the hostages.”
The discharge comes as Trump is ready to journey to the Center East in a visit that’s anticipated to accentuate efforts to convey a pause to Israel’s sweeping navy offensive within the Gaza Strip, from which assist has been reduce off for a number of weeks. The journey will not be anticipated to incorporate a cease in Israel.
In a put up on his Fact Social account Monday, Trump known as Alexander’s launch “nice information.”
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, poses for pictures with the household of Edan Alexander at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch on October 7, 2024 in New York Metropolis.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Photos
Alexander, 21, was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and grew up in New Jersey. He was serving within the Israeli military when Hamas captured him throughout its terrorist assault Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 folks and took round 250 hostage, in accordance with Israeli counts, marking a main escalation in a decadeslong battle.
Alexander’s household confirmed in an announcement Sunday that it was anticipating his launch. “Right now, on Mom’s Day, we obtained the best present possible—information that our stunning son Edan is returning residence after 583 days in captivity in Gaza,” it stated.
In his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, residents gathered in Huyler Park to rejoice the information and watch the occasions unfold on livestream screens.
Tons of of buddies, household and residents collect downtown to look at the discharge of Edan Alexander, the final dwelling U.S. citizen kidnapped by Hamas, on Might 12, 2025 in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey.
Spencer Platt | Getty Photos
Greater than 52,000 folks have been killed within the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip since then, in accordance with well being officers within the enclave, which has been run by Hamas since 2007.
On Monday, they stated that Israeli strikes had killed 33 folks and injured 94 others prior to now 24 hours, including that many extra stay trapped below rubble.
Alexander is certainly one of 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, in accordance with Israeli officers, though lower than half are believed to be alive.
American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander reunities his household at Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Heart after Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched him by handing over to Purple Cross delegation in Tel Aviv, Israel on Might 13, 2025.
Israeli Presidency | Anadolu | Getty Photos
Hamas beforehand reneged on an settlement to launch Alexander in March, together with the our bodies of 4 different twin nationals, saying it had misplaced contact with the group holding him and blaming Israel for concentrating on the realm the place he was allegedly being held with strikes.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. particular envoy to the Center East, informed NBC Information on Sunday that he was touring to Israel to safe Alexander’s launch. “We’re choosing him up in all probability tomorrow,” Witkoff stated. “There was an extended negotiation with a number of folks to thank.”
He added that it was a giant second “largely” due to Trump.
Trump on Sunday stated that he hoped Alexander’s launch signified a step towards ending the battle in Gaza. “This was a step taken in good religion in the direction of the US and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to place an finish to this very brutal battle and return ALL dwelling hostages and stays to their family members,” Trump wrote on Fact Social.
Mediators Qatar and Egypt additionally welcomed the transfer in an announcement Sunday.
With Trump resulting from journey Tuesday to the area, this week may even see additional developments on rising diplomatic tensions between the president and Netanyahu, which sources have informed NBC Information have arisen over the way to method talks on Gaza and Iran. Netanyahu has denied the experiences.
