Hamas releases Edan Alexander, the last living American Israeli hostage in Gaza

The Associated Press

· Posted: May 12, 2025 12:17 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago

An American Israeli soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released Monday, Hamas said, in a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.

The Israeli military confirmed shortly afterward on the social media platform X that one hostage has been handed over to the Red Cross and is on his way to Israeli forces in Gaza.

Edan Alexander was taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas's cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the war in Gaza. His release would be the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.

Israel has promised to intensify its offensive in recent days, including by seizing the territory and displacing much of its population again. Days before the ceasefire ended, Israel blocked all imports from entering the Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian crisis and sparking warnings about the risk of famine if the blockade isn't lifted.

Israel says the steps are meant to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire agreement on Israel's terms.

Israel says 59 hostages, including Alexander, had remained in captivity, with about 24 of them said to be alive. Many of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were freed in ceasefire deals.

Television footage showed Alexander's mother, Yael Alexander, arriving at the Reim military base in southern Israel, where her son was expected to be taken first.

Alexander's grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, said she had barely been able to sleep and had baked Edan's favourite foods, some of which she sent to the military base.

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