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By Staff Writer with Agencies
TEL AVIV / WASHINGTON — In a dramatic and potentially game-changing development, Hamas on Monday released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, 21, after more than 19 months in captivity. The release, described by the group as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration, is being interpreted as a significant step that may open the door to a renewed ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Alexander, who was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel, was handed over to the Red Cross and then transferred to Israeli forces. He was flown to a hospital in Tel Aviv, where he was reunited with his family in an emotional and widely televised moment.
“He’s got such a sense of humor,” said Alexander’s grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, smiling as she described how her grandson reportedly cracked a joke during a phone call with his mother. “He seemed like a man. He has matured.”
Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square and in Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, where hundreds of people celebrated his safe return. In Tel Aviv, relatives and supporters chanted his name, while in New Jersey, streets were filled with flags and cheers as news of his release broke.
Hamas has handed over the last US hostage in Gaza.
The release comes as Trump puts serious daylight between him and Netanyahu in approach to the Mideast.
Three days ago, Ambassador Huckabee said the US will only respond to Houthi attacks on Israel if American citizens are hurt. pic.twitter.com/IOdTppe7yp
— Alison Tahmizian Meuse (@AliTahmizian) May 12, 2025
A Strategic Release Amid High-Stakes Diplomacy
Hamas’ move comes just one day before U.S. President Donald Trump begins his first foreign visit of his second term, with planned stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Although Trump is not scheduled to visit Israel, his administration has been deeply involved in negotiations related to hostage releases and the ongoing war in Gaza.
Trump hailed Alexander’s release as a “step taken in good faith” and praised mediators from Qatar and Egypt for helping facilitate the breakthrough.
“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict,” Trump wrote on social media. “I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under increasing political pressure at home, credited the release to a combination of Israeli military pressure and Trump’s diplomatic efforts. He announced that an Israeli delegation would depart for Doha to continue negotiations under fire, reiterating that no concessions were made to secure Alexander’s release.
No Ceasefire Yet, But Signs of Shift
According to Netanyahu’s office, Israel did not promise a ceasefire or release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander. A “safe corridor” was reportedly agreed upon to allow the transfer, but Israeli officials stated the broader offensive in Gaza would continue, though possibly delayed until after Trump’s regional visit.
Despite this, the U.S. has indicated Alexander’s release could pave the way for a broader agreement. A statement from Netanyahu’s office noted that Washington believes Hamas may be willing to enter into a deal involving the release of more hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Netanyahu to act swiftly. “Don’t miss this historic opportunity,” the group said, calling for immediate negotiations to return all remaining hostages and end the war.
Political Fallout and Public Pressure
Netanyahu, whose government has faced sharp criticism over the failure to rescue all hostages, was confronted at his corruption trial. A woman shouted in court, asking if he was “ashamed that the president of the United States is saving his citizens, and he is leaving them to die there in captivity.”
Opponents argue that Netanyahu’s prolonged military campaign is politically motivated, while his supporters maintain that dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages are legitimate and inseparable objectives.
War Continues to Devastate Gaza
The October 2023 Hamas attack left 1,200 Israelis dead, according to official sources. In retaliation, Israel launched a devastating assault on Gaza, where the Health Ministry says over 52,800 Palestinians have since been killed. Most of the strip’s infrastructure has been reduced to rubble, and more than 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, many multiple times.
As of now, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 23 believed to be alive. Most of the original 250 hostages taken in the 2023 attack were released through previous ceasefire deals.
Whether Alexander’s release will catalyze further progress toward peace remains uncertain. But for the first time in months, with a hostage finally walking free and diplomacy gaining momentum, a fragile hope has returned to both sides of the conflict.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.