The agreement to release Edan Alexander came after a meeting between Washington and Hamas, which does not include Israel.
Hostage Edan Alexander Community ahead of Hamas release
A crowd gathered with Israeli flags in Edan Alexander’s hometown, anticipating the release of the 21-year-old Captive.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the battle was suspended to allow Alexander’s safe passage.
- The release was able to open up a way to unlock the remaining 59 hostages held in Gaza after a talk between Hamas, the US, Egypt and Qatar.
- Beyond that, “Israel has not committed to any kind of ceasefire,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
- Israeli Channel 12 stated that Alexander’s condition was “low” without citing the source.
JERUSALEM – Hamas said he has released Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza, paving the way for a possible return to a ceasefire talks in the war-torn enclave. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that Alexander had been transferred to Israeli custody.
Israeli military said the Red Cross had been notified that the hostages had been handed over without naming Alexander, the militant group last held. Israeli Channel 12 stated that Alexander’s condition was “low” without citing the source.
Al Jazeera’s television showed a photo of Alexander standing next to a masked fighter jet and a Red Cross official. Unlike previous hostage releases, he was dressed in civilian clothing. Alexander was expected to be picked up at Ichirov Hospital in Tel Aviv for treatment 19 months after his prisoner of war.
The May 12 announcement said the Israeli Prime Minister would not hold a ceasefire and that plans for an intensified military campaign will continue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the battle was suspended to allow Alexander a safe passage. Three Palestinians from Gaza told Reuters early in the afternoon that they were calm during the day, with no sound of drones or fighter jets.
Netanyahu’s office said it had been notified by the US on May 11 that it would release Alexander after consultations between Washington and Hamas, which does not include Israel.
Alexander’s release came when Hamas was presented to Israel as a gesture of goodwill to President Donald Trump, when the global hunger monitor said that the entire population of Gaza was at a serious risk of hunger.
“American hostage Edan Alexander thinks he’s dead and is freed by Hamas. Great news!” Trump wrote in capital letters on his social media platform on May 12th.
The release was able to open up a way to release the remaining 59 hostages held in the Gaza Strip after four-way consultations between Hamas, the US, Egypt and Qatar, 19 months after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
However, Netanyahu said that Israel only agreed to allow Alexander to pass safely, and that force recently continues to announce preparations to intensify the operation there. Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben Gwil said the war with Hamas should not end and aid should not be granted to Gaza.
“Israel has not committed to any kind of ceasefire,” Netanyahu’s office said, adding that military pressure has forced Hamas to release.
Local health officials say the Israeli strike previously killed at least 15 people in families who were refugeed to refugees in Jabaria in northern Gaza.
Israeli forces said they targeted dozens of Hamas militants on sites that said they were preparing to attack Israeli forces.
Arab intermediaries Qatar and Egypt said the agreement to release Alexander was a encouragemental step towards his return to the ceasefire talks.
Trump plans to visit the Gulf countries on a trip that does not include stops in Israel.
Alexander’s family thanked Trump and Witkov, saying in a statement they wanted the path to clear the release of the other remaining hostages.
“We urge the Israeli government and the negotiation team. Don’t stop,” they said.
Israel is hoping for Trump
Israel is preparing to “conquer” and “clear” everything in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he plans to “take over” Gaza and move civilians south.
US officials have tried to calm Israel’s fears of the increased distance between Israel and Trump.
The Israeli government faces criticism of the deal, which has stripped the priorities given to hostages who can rely on foreign government support.
Einav Zangarkar, among the 21 hostages that are believed to be still alive, said Netanyahu had chosen his political survival to end the war.
She addressed Trump in a statement read with the other hostage families, saying, “The people of Israel are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home.”
Netanyahu is scheduled to testify in the latest session of his trial on the corruption charges he denied, and faced pressure from hardliners in his cabinet to not end the war. Last week he announced plans to step up his operations in Gaza. Authorities said it could be completely seized by Israeli forces.
Israel resumed its activities in March in the enclave following a ceasefire agreement that suspended fighting in Gaza for two months and allowed the exchange of 38 hostages between Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons.
Since then, it has expanded its territorial control, removed a third of what it described as a “security zone,” blocking aid invasion into Gaza, and its population of 2 million has become increasingly food shortage.
Israeli US Ambassador Mike Huckabee outlined last week a plan for a new aid delivery system by private contractors not operated by Israel, but many details, including funding, are unclear.
Israeli forces have invaded Israeli forces in retaliation for Hamas-led attacks on Israel, according to Israeli tallies, which saw 1,200 people killed and 251 people held hostage.
More than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, Palestinian health officials say, and the large belts of the enclave are devastated.
