Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander has been released after 19 months in captivity by Hamas and reunited with his family at an Israeli military base, in a moment hailed as both deeply emotional and politically significant.
The 21-year-old, born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving with an elite infantry unit on the Gaza border when he was captured during Hamas’s 7 October 2023 assault, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
His release marks the first by Hamas since Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza on 18 March, following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire.
Israeli authorities temporarily paused military operations for several hours on Monday to facilitate the transfer, which took place in the southern city of Khan Younis. Masked Hamas fighters handed Alexander over to Red Cross workers, who then transferred him to Israeli forces.
Television footage showed him embracing his parents and siblings, smiling as he arrived at a base in southern Israel. His mother, Yael Alexander, was heard saying over the phone: “You are strong. You are protected. You are home.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “very moving moment” and praised both the military pressure on Hamas and “the political pressure exerted by President Trump” for making the release possible.
US President Donald Trump, who is set to arrive in the Middle East on Tuesday, congratulated Alexander’s family and called the release a “win for American diplomacy and Israeli resolve.”
Hamas said the release was a goodwill gesture intended to facilitate a new ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid to re-enter the enclave. The militant group has said no further releases will occur without a deal to end the war – a condition Israel has so far rejected.
Aid agencies have criticised Israel’s ongoing blockade, which has prevented the entry of food and medicine for 70 days, warning it amounts to collective punishment.
Netanyahu confirmed Israel would push forward with plans for a major expansion of its military operations in Gaza if no truce is agreed before the end of Trump’s regional visit.
Talks are scheduled to resume in Qatar on Tuesday, with hopes that Alexander’s release may signal progress.
Alexander was believed to be the last living US citizen held by Hamas. Of the 58 hostages still in Gaza, up to 23 are thought to be alive, including five with US citizenship.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, 52,829 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military campaign, including 2,720 since mid-March.
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