Hamas announced Monday the release of Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli soldier captured during the October 7, 2023, attack, describing the move as a gesture of goodwill toward former President Donald Trump’s administration. The release, which may pave the way for a new ceasefire with Israel, ends more than 19 months of captivity in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military confirmed that Alexander had been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and was being transferred to Israeli forces. No additional details were provided.
In Tel Aviv, dozens of family members and supporters gathered at Hostages Square, erupting in cheers and chants upon confirmation of his release. Many wore T-shirts bearing Alexander’s name. His grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, was seen beaming with joy among the crowd.
Alexander was 19 years old when he was abducted from his military base in southern Israel during a coordinated Hamas attack that marked the beginning of the Gaza war. His release is the first since Israel broke an eight-week ceasefire in March, resuming a fierce offensive that has killed hundreds in the Palestinian enclave.
Amid its military campaign, Israel has tightened restrictions in Gaza, blocking humanitarian aid and deepening the crisis, in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a new agreement. Israeli authorities have vowed to push forward with their offensive, including territorial takeovers and population displacement.
Currently, Israel estimates that 58 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with only 23 believed to be alive. In total, around 250 Israeli and foreign hostages were taken during the October attack, many of whom were later freed through previous 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 brought first.
Hamas had confirmed its intention to release Alexander on Sunday and reiterated on Monday that the handover would take place later that day. However, Israeli authorities declined to comment on the exact timing of the release.
President Donald Trump, who is traveling this week through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, celebrated the development on his platform Truth Social. He described the release as “a good faith step toward the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to end this very brutal war and bring ALL living hostages and remains back to their loved ones.”
“Hopefully this will be the first of the final steps needed to end this brutal conflict. I look forward to that day of celebration!” Trump added.
While Trump is not scheduled to visit Israel during his Middle East trip, the U.S. administration remains in close contact with the Israeli government. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee to discuss efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages.
Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel had made no concessions to Hamas in exchange for Alexander’s release — no ceasefire commitment or prisoner swap — and had only agreed to create a “safe corridor” to facilitate the handover.
Despite the release, Israeli officials said they still intend to ramp up the Gaza offensive, though they plan to delay the operation until after Trump’s visit to the region, in hopes that a new hostage deal might emerge.
