Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and believed to be the last known American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, has been released after over 19 months in captivity. His return on Monday brought a rare moment of relief amid a brutal and ongoing conflict that has devastated Gaza and strained international diplomatic efforts.
Alexander, now 21, was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross before being transferred to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to U.S. and Israeli officials. The release came as former President Donald Trump departed Washington for a high-stakes diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. While no direct link has been officially confirmed, the timing has fueled speculation about diplomatic coordination behind the scenes.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video showing Alexander being returned to Israeli authorities and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the safe return of all hostages. “The Israeli government is committed to the return of all the kidnapped and missing — both the living and the dead,” the statement read.
Alexander was born and raised in New Jersey before immigrating to Israel, where he was serving in the Israeli military when he was abducted on October 7, 2023, during Hamas’s large-scale surprise attack that ignited the ongoing war. His capture became a focal point in the broader campaign to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
His mother, Yael Alexander, became a vocal advocate during his captivity, speaking out in media interviews and urging leaders to act. “It’s not easy, but I’m taking strength from my kids … to smile for them, to hug them, and to give them hope that Edan is okay,” she said in a February interview with CBS News.
Hamas, which the U.S. and Israel classify as a terrorist organization, announced Sunday that it would release Alexander unconditionally, framing the decision as a goodwill gesture toward ending the war. The group said the move followed “contacts with the U.S. administration over the past few days” and expressed openness to enter serious negotiations aimed at achieving a final agreement. Their proposed plan includes a prisoner exchange, a transition of Gaza’s administration to an independent body, and the lifting of the Israeli blockade.
Former President Trump acknowledged the release on his Truth Social platform, calling it “a step taken in good faith toward the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, confirmed that he had traveled to the region ahead of Alexander’s release. Local media outlets reported that Witkoff had arrived on Monday, potentially playing a backchannel role in the unfolding negotiations.
Despite the release, Israeli officials were quick to assert that no formal commitments were made as part of the transfer. “Israel did not commit to any ceasefire or to the release of terrorists, but only to a safe corridor that would allow for Idan’s release,” Netanyahu’s office said, using the Hebrew spelling of Alexander’s first name.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, even as the military campaign continues. “We are in critical days when Hamas is faced with a deal that will allow for the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office stated. “Negotiations will continue under fire and while preparations are being made to intensify the fighting.”
Meanwhile, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Humanitarian organizations report that the population is nearing famine due to Israel’s continued restrictions on the entry of food and medical aid. According to a new report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 500,000 people — one in five in Gaza — are facing starvation.
“The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity,” the IPC said Monday. “With the announced expansion of military operations, the continued displacement of people, and the inability of aid groups to access those in need, the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip is not just possible — it is increasingly likely.”
Also on Monday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit a school-turned-shelter in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, killing 16 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The IDF did not immediately respond to the report.
In Israel, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum — a prominent advocacy group — welcomed the news of Alexander’s return but emphasized the urgency of rescuing those still in captivity. The group said it would hold a march at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv to demand a comprehensive agreement for the release of all remaining hostages.
Alexander’s release stands as a rare success in an otherwise intractable conflict. It offers a glimmer of hope that diplomacy — even amid airstrikes and famine warnings — can lead to life-saving outcomes. Yet it also underscores the tremendous work that remains as mediators and officials press for an end to the war, a resolution for the hostages, and relief for a civilian population on the brink.
