Israeli American Edan Alexander Back in Israel after Hamas Free Leasting

Israeli American Edan Alexander Back in Israel after Hamas Free Leasting

Jerusalem - Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage -taker in Gaza, was released by Hamas on Monday and reunited with his family. This ends an 18-month Odyssey, which started with the attack by the militant Islamist group on October 7th.

negotiations and return

Hamas announced on Sunday evening that after several days of discussions with the United States that dealt with Israel, they had agreed to free the 21-year-old. This decision forms part of the efforts to achieve an armistice and to resume humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Alexander, dressed in a black adidas t-shirt and a baseball cap, was photographed during his handover to the Red Cross, just before his convoy khan Younis left towards Israel. He later arrived at an Israeli military base, where he was subjected to a medical examination and the long -awaited reunification with his family took place.

emotional reunification

After his release, Alexander had spoken by phone with his mother, Yael. Recordings published by the Israeli defense forces show Steve Witkoff, the US special envoys for the Middle East who presents Yael. "You are free, my darling! Everything is good, you are sure you are at home. You are strong. We'll see you soon!" She called out in the emotional clip.

In a living room in Tel Aviv, it was filmed how his relatives celebrated any progress during his release. This news came just one day before US President Donald Trump begins a middle east tour, which includes stations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump and the mediating commitment

The Trump administration had avoided Israel to conclude the agreement with Hamas to release Alexander. Trump described this as a step to “end this very brutal war and bring back all living hostages as well as the remains of their relatives.”

Alexander, born in New Jersey, served in the Israeli army on the border with Gaza when he was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Yael described her son in an interview with CNN in March as "such an American boy, full of life, very funny and very friendly".

Current situation of hostages

According to Alexander's release, 58 hostages are still recorded in Gaza, whereby at least 20 of them are considered to be alive. The deceased hostages include four US citizens, including the Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai couple as well as the soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Monday as a "very emotional moment" and praised Trump to ensure Alexander's release, while at the same time defending his ongoing military measures in Gaza. "This was achieved through our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure of President Trump. This is a victorious combination," says Netanyahu.

public reactions and international dynamics

A crowd gathered on the Tel Aviver "Geisel-Platz" to follow the handover of Alexander. They cheered when it became clear that Alexander was handed over to the Israeli armed forces. The Alexander family described the news of his impending release on Mother's Day as "the largest imaginable gift" and thanked Trump and the US authorities for their tireless work.

Alexander’s mother traveled to Israel on Sunday evening to meet her son after his release. A photo that was published by the U.S. Sondermander for Geisel response Adam Boehler shows Yael Alexander on a flight with the envoy's Messenger.

hope for peace

Trump described the development in a contribution on Truth Social as "monumental news" and saw in Alexander's release "a good faith of the United States and the mediators - Qatar and Egypt - to end their efforts to end this very brutal war and to bring all living hostages and remains back to their relatives."

Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told Hamas connected to Hamas that the militant Islamist group, which is classified by the USA and Israel as a terrorist organization, had negotiated with the USA to released Alexander and in return to take up the humanitarian aid to Gaza.

It is reported that the talks with Hamas have been held indirectly. Witkoff is said to have a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday afternoon.

This is a developing history and is updated regularly.