An Israeli-American soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip was released on Monday by Hamas, in a goodwill gesture towards the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.
Edan Alexander was first turned over to the Red Cross and then to Israeli forces.
Wearing shirts emblazoned with his name, Alexander’s extended family gathered in Tel Aviv to watch his release. They cheered and chanted his name when the military announced his transfer. His grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, beamed with delight. In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, hundreds of people broke out into cheers.
Alexander was 19 when he was taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas’ cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, which set off the war in Gaza.
His release was the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.