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American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was reunited with his family on Monday after 584 days in Hamas captivity. He was handed over to the Committee of the Red Cross and reunited with his family at an Israeli military facility before being flown to a hospital for medical care.
Alexander’s release, facilitated during a brief pause in fighting, was attributed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to both sustained military pressure by Israel and diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu confirmed he had spoken directly with Trump and credited his involvement as a key factor in securing Alexander’s freedom.
Who is Edan Alexander?
Edan Alexander is a dual Israeli-American citizen, was born in Tel Aviv and grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. The 21-year-old man was the last known living American hostage held in Gaza since Hamas’ October 2023 attack.
After graduating high school, he moved to Israel in 2022 and joined the military. On October 7, 2023, during Hamas’ surprise attack, Alexander was captured from his army base, where he had volunteered to stay over the Jewish Sabbath, and taken into Gaza, becoming one of 251 hostages seized that day.
A video released by Hamas in November 2024, showing a tearful Alexander pleading for help, confirmed he was alive. Though emotionally difficult for his family, the footage offered a glimmer of hope. Unlike many other male soldiers held in Gaza, Alexander was not included in earlier exchanges during ceasefire deals.
According to Israeli media reports, Edan Alexander declined a personal meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his release. Channel 12 described his physical and emotional state as "low," though the report did not cite an official source.
How was Edan Alexander released?
Alexander’s release followed four-party negotiations involving the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas. Qatar and Egypt called the development a hopeful step toward renewed ceasefire negotiations. Hamas stated that Alexander was released as a goodwill gesture to Trump, who is visiting the Gulf region this week.
While the move raised hopes for further hostage releases, it also drew criticism from families of other captives who say the government prioritises those with foreign ties. Despite the release, fighting resumed shortly after the handover. Fifty-nine hostages are still in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be alive.
Bombardment continues
Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed several people, including women and children sheltering in schools in Khan Younis and Gaza City. Netanyahu's office reiterated that Israel has made no ceasefire commitments and will continue its military campaign.
The war, sparked by Hamas’ deadly assault in October 2023, has left over 52,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health officials, and pushed half a million people toward starvation, according to global food security monitors. The offensive has destroyed vast areas of the territory and displaced some 90% of its population.
Published By:
Shipra Parashar
Published On:
May 13, 2025
