TEL AVIV, Israel — Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier held hostage by Hamas for over 19 months, was released Monday during a brief pause in hostilities, marking a dramatic breakthrough amid one of the longest hostage crises in the Israel-Hamas war. His release, however, did not signal an easing of tensions, as Israeli airstrikes resumed soon after and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected any talk of a ceasefire.
Alexander was transferred to Israeli custody by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which mediated the handover from Hamas. He was taken to a military base where he emotionally reunited with his family. In video released by Israeli officials, Alexander appeared visibly frail but smiling as he embraced his tearful mother, Yael Alexander, and other family members. He was later airlifted to a hospital for medical evaluation.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Alexander’s condition was described as “low,” though official details were limited. Images showed him pale but conscious and holding a handwritten sign in a military helicopter reading, “Thank you, President Trump,” a gesture underscoring the political weight of the release.
Hamas framed Alexander’s release as a goodwill gesture to President Donald Trump, who is visiting Gulf nations this week. Trump celebrated the news on social media, writing, “Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!”
Netanyahu credited Alexander’s freedom to “persistent military pressure” and diplomatic efforts led by Trump. “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind,” the prime minister’s office said, signaling continued military escalation in Gaza.
Indeed, within hours of Alexander’s release, Palestinian officials reported new Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes. One airstrike on a shelter in Khan Younis reportedly killed three and wounded several. In northern Gaza’s Tuffah neighborhood, a woman was killed and others injured when tank fire struck a school housing displaced families.
The hostage release followed four-party negotiations involving Hamas, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Though seen by mediators as a hopeful step toward broader talks, no formal truce has been agreed upon. Netanyahu’s office confirmed a delegation would travel to Qatar Thursday to explore new proposals for freeing the remaining 58 hostages still believed to be held by Hamas.
Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey and joined the Israeli military before being captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, was the last known living American hostage. That assault killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli authorities.
Back in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, videos showed jubilant crowds dancing and cheering upon learning of his release.
Meanwhile, growing frustration among families of other hostages erupted publicly. Critics accused the Netanyahu government of prioritizing high-profile cases, particularly those involving foreign backing. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains captive, accused the government of acting out of political interest.
Addressing Trump directly, Zangauker said in a statement with other hostage families: “The Israeli people are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home.”
Despite international pressure, including from humanitarian organizations, Israel’s government continues its military campaign in Gaza. A previous ceasefire in January had led to the release of 38 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners but collapsed in March when hostilities resumed.
Since October, over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities, and much of the densely populated enclave has been reduced to rubble. Israel has blocked large-scale aid deliveries, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
On Monday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a leading global hunger monitor, warned that more than 500,000 people in Gaza are facing starvation, with a “critical risk of famine” looming by September if conditions persist.
Special U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who reportedly played a key role in securing Alexander’s release, arrived in Israel Monday to continue discussions. The freed soldier’s family expressed gratitude to both Trump and Witkoff and urged negotiators to persist in efforts to bring the remaining hostages home.
