Hamas releases last living American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

Hamas has released its last surviving American-Israeli hostage in Gaza after 584 days in captivity, ahead of a regional visit by Donald Trump.

Hamas has released its last surviving American-Israeli hostage in Gaza, ahead of a regional visit by US President Donald Trump.

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier who was captured by the Palestinian militant group in October 2023 while serving near Gaza’s border, was reunited with his family after being held for 584 days.

The IDF said in a statement that Mr Alexander, “accompanied by members of his family, is currently making his way on an Israeli Air Force helicopter to the hospital, where he will be reunited with other members of his family and will receive medical treatment”.

A photo shared by The White House on its official X account showed Mr Alexander aboard the aircraft, holding a sign that read: “Thank you President TRUMP!!!”

“584 DAYS HELD HOSTAGE BY HAMAS – AMERICAN EDAN ALEXANDER IS FREE!” the caption read.

Newly-released Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexender reuniting with members of his family at an undisclosed location in Israel. Picture: Israeli Army/AFP

The 21-year-old was freed by Palestinian militant group Hamas after 584 days in captivity. Picture: Israeli Army/AFP

Mr Trump celebrated Mr Alexander’s release in his own post on Truth Social.

“Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage, is being released,” he wrote.

“Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!”

The President said in a previous post the release 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”.

Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu thanked his US counterpart for his role in Mr Alexander’s release, writing it was achieved via the “winning combination” of his own nation’s “military pressure and the political pressure exerted by” Mr Trump.

“This is a very emotional moment – Edan Alexander has come home,” Mr Netanyahu said a video statement.

“We embrace him, and we embrace his family … The Government of Israel is committed to the return of all hostages and missing persons – both the living and the fallen.”

'584 DAYS HELD HOSTAGE BY HAMAS – AMERICAN EDAN ALEXANDER IS FREE!' the caption on the following image, shared by The White House, read. Picture: X/@WhiteHouse

Flag-waving crowds gathered to greet the convoy carrying Mr Alexander, and in Tenafly, New Jersey, where he grew up, large crowds celebrated his release.

Close friends and family chanted his name and applauded at the news that he had been freed, footage released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum showed.

The Forum in a statement also urged Mr Netanyahu to say he was “ready to negotiate a comprehensive agreement” to bring home all the hostages.

“They should stop the war and bring all the hostages back home in a deal, not military pressure,” one Forum volunteer, Meirav Etrogbar, told AFP.

US President Donald Trump. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP

Mr Alexander’s release comes a day after Hamas revealed it was engaged in direct talks with Washington towards a Gaza ceasefire.

“We affirm that serious and responsible negotiations yield results in the release of prisoners, while the continuation of aggression prolongs their suffering and may kill them,” a Hamas statement said.

“We urge President Trump’s administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war.” Alexander was the last living hostage in Gaza with American citizenship. His release came with Trump heading for Saudi Arabia on the first leg of a regional tour.

On Monday, Mr Netanyahu said he had instructed a negotiating team to head to Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the further release of hostages, after earlier saying that “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan”.

Negotiations for a possible deal to secure the release of all hostages would continue “under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting”, he added.

Hundreds of friends, family and residents gather in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey to watch the release of Mr Alexander. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, 57 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18, ramping up its bombardment of the territory.

Earlier this month, Israel’s government approved plans to expand its Gaza offensive, with officials talking of retaining a long-term presence there.

Hamas’s 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday at least 2,749 people have been killed since Israel resumed its campaign, bringing the overall death toll since the war broke out to 52,862.

Originally published as Hamas releases last living American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander