Edan Alexander Released After Successful U.S.-Hamas Negotiations

LONDON — Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli who had been held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, was freed on Monday following successful diplomatic negotiations between U.S. officials and Hamas.

Family Reunion at Military Base

Following his release, Alexander’s mother, Yael, arrived at the Re’im military base near the Gaza border to reunite with her son prior to his transfer to a hospital in Tel Aviv. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and retired Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch, who manages Israeli prisoners of war, were also present at the base according to an Israeli official.

Temporary Halt in Military Operations

Israeli security sources reported a temporary pause in attacks and aerial surveillance in the vicinity of Gaza during the moments leading up to Alexander’s release. The cessation of combat was expected to last until he safely crossed into Israeli territory, a process anticipated to take about 30 minutes.

Background on Edan Alexander

Alexander, originally from New Jersey, moved to Israel at 18 and was serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was taken captive during Hamas’ attack. He turned 19 while in captivity, experiencing two birthdays without his family.

Current Hostage Situation

Edan Alexander is the last known American hostage still believed to be held by Hamas, which, according to U.S. officials, is also purportedly in possession of the remains of four deceased American captives.

Political Context and Diplomatic Efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Witkoff and the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, on the day of Alexander’s release. Netanyahu publicly expressed gratitude towards former President Donald Trump for his role in the negotiations.

“The prime minister discussed the last-ditch effort to implement the outline for the release of the hostages presented by Witkoff, before the escalation of the fighting,” stated Netanyahu’s office.

Hamas’ Announcement and Broader Negotiations

Hamas announced on Sunday that they would release Alexander as part of steps toward a ceasefire. The organization indicated ongoing communication with U.S. officials regarding the release, leading to speculation that this might pave the way for broader conflict resolutions.

Trump remarked on social media that Alexander’s release was a critical step towards ending the ongoing violence.

The Family’s Response

Alexander’s family has remained in close contact with U.S. officials, anticipating his release and actively participating in discussions. “It is forbidden to leave any hostage behind,” the family emphasized, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to securing the return of all remaining hostages.

In total, 253 hostages were taken during the October 7 attack, an event that also led to approximately 1,200 fatalities according to Israeli reports.

Human Cost of the Ongoing Conflict

As of now, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in over 52,000 fatalities, alongside significant injuries. The data provided by the Hamas-run Ministry of Health outlines the severe impact of the conflict on the civilian population.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Reportedly contributed to by Shannon K. Kingston from ABC News.