Hamas says it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday

Published: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 11:28 am

Hamas to Release American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander, Potentially Paving Way for New Ceasefire

In a significant development, Hamas announced it will release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Monday. Alexander, captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, has been held captive in the Gaza Strip for over 19 months. This release, framed as a goodwill gesture towards the United States, could potentially lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The announcement comes after an eight-week ceasefire ended in March, marked by intense Israeli strikes on Gaza. While Hamas has designated the release, Israeli authorities have not confirmed the timing, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office acknowledged the expected release. Israel maintains it is not offering concessions for Alexander's freedom, including a ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners, but has agreed to a safe corridor for his return.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, set to visit the Middle East this week, has expressed optimism about the release, viewing it as a step towards ending the ongoing conflict and securing the release of all hostages. Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to meet with Israeli officials to discuss the situation.

The release has sparked mixed reactions. While Alexander's family is en route to Israel, critics have accused Netanyahu of relying on foreign intervention to secure the release and not doing enough to free the remaining hostages. The Israeli government, however, has stated its intention to continue its offensive in Gaza, though it will delay the escalation until after Trump's visit, potentially allowing for a new ceasefire deal to emerge. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 52,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and has displaced 90% of the population.

BNN's Perspective: While the release of Edan Alexander is undoubtedly a positive development, it's crucial to approach this with cautious optimism. The ongoing conflict's complexities, including the deep-seated animosity between both sides, make a lasting peace agreement challenging. The potential for a new ceasefire is encouraging, but it's essential to acknowledge the significant hurdles that remain, including the need for both sides to compromise and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Keywords: Hamas, Edan Alexander, hostage release, Gaza, Israel, ceasefire, Donald Trump, October 7 attack, Benjamin Netanyahu, humanitarian crisis, conflict, Middle East, hostages, war, Palestinian, American-Israeli, peace deal

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