He was greeted by family members with tears of joy. Edan Alexander, 21, the only Israeli-American soldier still alive of the 58 hostages held by Hamas. After “a long negotiation,” U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff had announced his release. Donald Trump also congratulated Qatar and Egypt, who, as mediators, were “involved in making this monumental news happen.”
Alexander, an IDF soldier born in New Jersey who was taken hostage on October 7th 2023, is the first to be freed since February, after Israel resumed bombing the Gaza Strip three months ago, breaking the ceasefire agreed to in January. Now, under pressure from the United States, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to resume negotiations, but without a ceasefire. Rather, “negotiations will take place under pressure, with a commitment to achieve all the objectives of the war,” the Israeli leader said, holding fast to last week’s Cabinet decision to seize the entire Strip.
According to inside sources, Alexander’s release was a concession by Hamas ahead of Trump’s arrival in the Middle East. The White House chief will travel to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar to strengthen trade relations. In Doha he will welcome the newly freed 21-year-old with open arms and is also expected to meet with the Israeli negotiating team.
The head of the Hamas diplomatic team, Khalil al-Hayya, explained that Alexander’s release is just one of the measures taken to reach a ceasefire, reopen the crossings and allow aid to arrive. “Serious and responsible negotiations will bring concrete results in the release of prisoners,” the statement read. “We confirm our willingness to immediately begin talks to reach a comprehensive agreement for a lasting ceasefire and call on the Trump Administration to continue its efforts to end the war.”
Of the 57 people imprisoned in Gaza, 24 are believed to still be alive. However, Hamas said it had lost contact with some of its groups due to Israel’s attacks, as had also happened in Alexander’s case. “We call on Hamas to also return the bodies of four other Americans who were abducted,” urged the U.S. special envoy for the abductees, Adam Boehler. All four are presumed dead.
Over the past three months, since the partial truce agreed upon by Israel and Hamas was broken, the situation in the Gaza Strip has escalated. All functioning hospitals have been hit, access to humanitarian aid has been suspended, with nearly half a million Palestinians “starving, sick, and dying” due to Israel’s continued blockade and relentless attacks, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.
