Hamas Agrees to Release Edan Alexander, Last Living American Hostage

Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier who has been held captive for a staggering 525 days, making him the last living American hostage in Gaza. The deal also includes the return of the remains of four other dual-national hostages. While the exact timeline for the transfer remains unclear, the announcement comes amidst ongoing negotiations in Qatar aiming to extend the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that his ministerial team would convene on Saturday to receive updates from negotiators and decide on next steps. Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and National Security Council Senior Director Eric Trager have been pushing for a "bridge" proposal designed to expand the ceasefire and allow time to negotiate a more permanent resolution. The proposal hinges on the immediate release of Alexander and other hostages in exchange for prisoners.

"President Trump has made it clear that Hamas will either release hostages immediately or face severe consequences," emphasized a joint statement from the National Security Council and Witkoff’s office. However, they also criticized Hamas for employing manipulative tactics and stalling negotiations.

Hamas, on the other hand, claims to have responded "responsibly and positively" to the mediators' proposals. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed their agreement to release Alexander, alongside the remains of four others, while urging Israel to uphold its commitments as part of the broader negotiation process.

Edan Alexander’s story is one of both resilience and heartbreak. Born in Israel but raised in New Jersey, Edan opted to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after high school instead of pursuing college. On October 7, 2023, while serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade near Gaza, he was taken hostage during a Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 hostages captured.

In a recent interview, Edan’s mother, Yael Alexander, recounted the harrowing day her son was taken. She had spoken to him just hours before his capture, during which he described witnessing "terrible stuff" but assured her he was safe. That assurance, tragically, was short-lived.

Hamas released a video of Alexander in November 2024, where he was made to deliver propaganda messages in Hebrew and Arabic. It was a chilling reminder of the psychological warfare endured by hostages and their families.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the news of Alexander’s release but stressed that this must be the starting point for securing the freedom of the remaining 59 hostages. "The return of any number of hostages must only be the beginning of an immediate and comprehensive deal," the group stated. They also reiterated their gratitude for President Trump’s commitment to prioritizing the hostages' return, which has been a beacon of hope for families during these dark times.

While there’s cautious optimism about Alexander's impending release, the broader situation remains fraught. Netanyahu accused Hamas of refusing to budge and continuing its psychological warfare tactics, even as negotiations persist. For now, the world watches and waits, hoping that this latest development marks a turning point in the long and painful saga of hostages caught in the crossfire of conflict.