Hamas Pledges to Release American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander on Monday

Published: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:48 am

**Hamas to Release American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander on Monday**

In a significant development, Hamas has announced it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday. The announcement, made by Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, comes as President Donald Trump prepares for his first overseas trip since re-election, with the Middle East as his destination.

The release of Alexander, a 21-year-old who moved to Israel from New Jersey and enlisted in the IDF, could signal a potential breakthrough in efforts to revive a stalled Gaza deal. Alexander was captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on an Israeli military base.

Hamas stated the release is part of efforts towards establishing a ceasefire and opening Israeli border crossings for humanitarian aid. The group also expressed readiness to negotiate a final agreement to end the war, exchange prisoners, and establish an independent body to administer the Gaza Strip.

President Trump has responded positively, expressing gratitude for the release and hoping it's a step towards ending the conflict and returning all hostages. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the group's commitment to a ceasefire and humanitarian aid.

The situation remains complex, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza having resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in the territory. Trump's upcoming trip will likely focus on leveraging Arab alliances to end the conflict and secure the release of remaining hostages.

BNN's Perspective: While the release of Edan Alexander is a positive development, it's crucial to approach this with cautious optimism. The underlying issues of the conflict remain unresolved, and a lasting peace will require sustained diplomatic efforts and a commitment from all parties to address the humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza. The focus must remain on securing the release of all hostages and working towards a sustainable ceasefire.

Keywords: Hamas, Edan Alexander, hostage release, Gaza, Donald Trump, ceasefire, humanitarian aid, Al-Qassam Brigades, Israel, October 7 attack, Middle East, war, prisoner exchange, peace negotiations, American-Israeli, IDF, Gaza Strip, Abu Obeida, Khalil al-Hayya, White House, State Department

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