Hamas said a U.S. Israeli soldier took hostages in the Gaza Strip for more than 19 months and was released on Monday in a goodwill gesture to the Trump administration, which could lay the foundation for a new ceasefire with Israel.
The Israeli military soon confirmed on social media platforms that a hostage had been handed over to the Red Cross and was heading to Israeli forces in Gaza.
Edan Alexander's release comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's lead in visiting the region this week.
The extended family of Alexander gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release in dressed in shirts decorated with his name. When the army said he was free, they cheered and shouted his name. His grandmother Varda Ben Baruch smiled. Hundreds of people cheered in Tel Aviv Square, now known as Hostage Square.
According to Israeli Tallies, Alexander was occupied from a military base in southern Israel during a cross-border attack in Hamas, and 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were seen taking hostages, according to Israeli Tallies.
His release will be the first since an eight-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March, releasing a fierce attack on Gaza, which has killed hundreds of people in the past two months.
Overall, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the Israeli campaign killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, and reduced much of Gaza to ruins.
Israel has pledged to strengthen its offensive in recent days, including capturing the territory and replacing much of its population again. A few days after the ceasefire ended, Israel blocked all imports into the Palestinian enclave, deepening the humanitarian crisis and triggering warnings that the risk of famine would not rise.
Israel said the steps were intended to force Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement on Israeli terms.
Israel said 59 hostages, including Alexander, were imprisoned, with about 24 of them reportedly still alive. Many of the 250 hostages seized by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were released in the ceasefire deal.
TV footage also shows Alexander's mother, Yael Alexander, arrives at the Rem military base in southern Israel, where her son is expected to be taken away first. Alexander's grandmother said she could hardly fall asleep and roasted Edan's favorite food, some of which were sent to the military base.
Israel approved a plan to strengthen military operations against Hamas by seizing Gaza, establishing new bases and maintaining unspecified time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Gaza's population would move to the south. Previous versions of this video contain incorrect hostage numbers.
“Time runs out”
In an article on his social media website, Truth Society, Trump said on Sunday the planned posting “takes a sincere step to the United States, and the efforts of mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to end this very cruel war and return all living hostages to their loved ones.”
“Hopefully this is the last step needed to end this cruel conflict. I'm very concerned about the celebrations that day!” Trump wrote.
Trump – Trump, who traveled to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week, has not arranged a stop in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Monday. His office said they discussed efforts to free the rest of the hostages.
The Prime Minister's Office said: “To this end, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the negotiation team to go to Doha tomorrow.
The Forum on Hostages and Missing Families, a group representing hostage relatives, welcomes news that the Israeli delegation traveled to Doha for negotiations.
“Although Edan Alexander's release gives us hope, all 58 of our loved ones have to go home. Time has run out. These negotiations have to bring everyone back,” the organization said in a statement. “Trump's plan provides a real way for the plan to release all hostages immediately. Each day makes their lives bigger. We can't wait.”
