Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old who has been held for over 550 days, as part of an effort to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.
“I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Trump wrote on TruthSocial.
Alexander is the only living American citizen among 59 hostages still being held in a Gaza impoundment by Hamas terrorists. Of those 59, just 21 are thought to be alive, while the condition of the others are not known. Alexander’s parents are heading to Israel with the Trump’s Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler to welcome Alexander out of captivity.