Hamas agreed on Friday to release Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American, is set to be released alongside the bodies of four other hostages, as per the deal presented by mediators. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Alexander has endured 525 days in captivity as of Friday.
The bodies to be released belong to dual-national hostages, as reported by the Associated Press. The exact timing of the transfer remains uncertain, but it coincides with ongoing discussions in Qatar aiming to establish the next phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the first phase of which concluded on March 1.
Although he spent most of his upbringing in New Jersey, Alexander was born in Israel shortly before his family relocated to the U.S., as noted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
MEET EDAN ALEXANDER, THE LAST LIVING AMERICAN HOSTAGE IN HAMAS CAPTIVITY
After completing high school, Alexander made the decision to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instead of pursuing a college education.
On October 7, while serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade, an infantry unit, he was patrolling near Gaza when Hamas launched its attacks on Israel. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages, including Alexander.
Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, shared her experience of the day he was taken hostage during a recent interview with AJC’s “People of the Pod.” In early October 2023, she was in Israel visiting family and hoped to see Edan. On the morning of October 7, she spoke with him; he described witnessing “terrible stuff” but reassured her of his safety before being taken hostage.
On November 30, 2024, more than a year after Alexander’s capture, Hamas released a video featuring him speaking in Hebrew and Arabic. Like other hostages coerced into making propaganda videos, he conveyed messages regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-President-elect Donald Trump.
AFTER TRUMP THREAT, HAMAS REFUSES TO RELEASE MORE HOSTAGES WITHOUT PHASE 2 CEASEFIRE DEAL
Following the release of the video, Edan’s father, Adi Alexander, appeared on “Fox & Friends First,” describing the film as “very emotional” and “disturbing.” He remarked that it was the first indication of life from their son since his abduction.
Earlier this month, Trump warned Hamas, stating, “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.”
He continued, “A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
At that time, Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua reportedly indicated that the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages” lies through negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
