Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, has been reunited with his family in Israel after spending 19 months in captivity by Hamas in Gaza. He was captured on October 7, 2023, while serving near the Gaza border. His release marks the first since Israel resumed its military operations in March, and he is believed to be the last living American held by Hamas. On Monday, Israel briefly paused its military activity to allow for his transfer. Hamas said the release was a goodwill gesture tied to efforts for a ceasefire before U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region. TV footage showed Edan smiling as he hugged his parents and siblings at an Israeli military base. His family thanked President Trump for his role in the release and urged continued efforts to free the 58 remaining hostages.
Hamas handed Edan over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, and he was later returned to Israeli forces. The Israeli military provided a secure route for the handover.
Prime Minister Netanyahu shared a video of Edan’s mother speaking to him by phone and called the reunion an emotional moment. He credited both military pressure and U.S. political support for making the release possible, but said Israel would continue its offensive and not agree to a ceasefire.
Hamas said the release aimed to open the way for humanitarian aid. Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza for 70 days, a move criticized by aid groups as a form of collective punishment.
President Trump is set to visit the region on Tuesday. If no deal is reached during his visit, Israel plans to expand its military campaign, including taking full control of Gaza, moving Palestinians southward, and managing aid delivery through private companies. The UN has opposed these plans.
Talks on further hostage releases are expected to take place in Qatar. Qatar and Egypt expressed hope that Edan’s release could lead to renewed truce discussions.
Edan, born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving in an elite unit when he was captured during the October 7 attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Of the 58 still held, about 23 are thought to be alive, including five Americans. Edan was believed to be the last surviving American captive.
The conflict has claimed over 52,800 lives in Gaza, including 2,700 since mid-March, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
