Hamas to release U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

Published: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 10:59 am

**Hamas to Release U.S.-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander**

In a significant development, Hamas has announced it will release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza. The announcement, made on Sunday, comes amid ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict.

Alexander was among the 251 people taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the latest escalation of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His release has been a point of contention, with Hamas previously stating they had lost contact with the group holding him. They had initially agreed to release Alexander in March but later changed course, blaming Israeli airstrikes.

The announcement of Alexander's release was confirmed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, who framed it as a gesture of good faith and a step toward ending the "brutal war." Special U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, stated he would travel to Israel to facilitate Alexander's release, with the family expressing their joy. The Hostage Family Forum also confirmed they had been informed of the potential release. The release is part of a broader effort to negotiate a cease-fire, prisoner exchange, and the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Fifty-nine hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas.

BNN's Perspective: While the release of Edan Alexander is undoubtedly a positive development, it's crucial to remember that it's just one piece of a much larger and more complex puzzle. The ongoing conflict continues to cause immense suffering on both sides, and a lasting resolution requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict. The focus should remain on securing the release of all hostages and working towards a sustainable peace agreement.

Keywords: Hamas, Edan Alexander, hostage, Gaza, Israel, United States, release, cease-fire, Donald Trump, conflict, negotiations, hostages, October 7, 2023, Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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