TEL AVIV — Hamas on Monday freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander after more than 19 months in captivity, in what appeared to be a calculated goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration as efforts intensify to broker a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The release marks the first hostage freed since Israel ended an eight-week ceasefire in March, launching a new round of punishing air and ground strikes in Gaza that have killed hundreds of Palestinians. Alexander, 21, was transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross before being handed over to Israeli forces. He was airlifted to a Tel Aviv hospital, where he was reunited with his family in an emotional scene captured on video.
Photos released by Israeli authorities showed Alexander pale but smiling as he embraced his mother and relatives for the first time since being captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 cross-border assault on his military base in southern Israel. That attack triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, now in its 19th month.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, where weekly rallies have demanded action for the remaining captives, hundreds erupted in cheers at the news. His extended family gathered nearby, wearing shirts emblazoned with his name and chanting as Israeli officials confirmed his release.
“He seemed like a man. He has really matured,” said his grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, who praised her grandson’s resilience. She was not surprised to hear reports that Alexander cracked a joke during his first phone call with his mother. “He’s got such a sense of humor,” she said.
Alexander was 19 when he was taken, one of 250 hostages abducted during the 2023 Hamas-led offensive. While many were freed during temporary truces, Israel says 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 23 believed to be alive.
The timing of his release has sparked speculation about shifting dynamics in ceasefire negotiations, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies diplomatic efforts in the region. U.S. officials have reportedly backed a framework that would include a phased release of hostages in exchange for a pause in fighting and expanded humanitarian access to Gaza.
Despite the breakthrough, Israel has continued its military pressure on Hamas, vowing to seize more of Gaza and displace its population again if necessary. In the days leading up to the March ceasefire collapse, Israeli officials imposed a full blockade, halting all imports into the besieged enclave. Aid agencies have warned of looming famine and deepening humanitarian catastrophe if restrictions are not lifted.
In Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, hundreds gathered to celebrate his return. Waving Israeli flags and singing along to music, supporters watched the live coverage of his release on a large screen. The community had held weekly marches since his abduction, advocating for the hostages’ freedom.
The Trump administration has yet to formally respond to the development, but senior officials signaled optimism that the release could be a turning point in the stalled ceasefire process.
