Trump says Edan Alexander will be released by Hamas

President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, ‘Truth Social,’ to confirm the long-awaited release of the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, who had been held by Hamas for nearly two years. Trump expressed his happiness at the news, stating, “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.”

The release of Edan Alexander marks a significant step towards ending the brutal conflict between Hamas and the United States. Trump acknowledged the efforts of mediators, Qatar and Egypt, in facilitating the release of Alexander and other hostages. He expressed hope that this release would pave the way for further steps towards peace and the return of all remaining hostages and their remains to their loved ones.

Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, had been held captive in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. The news of his imminent release came after Hamas announced that they were in contact with the U.S. administration and had taken positive steps towards a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for the people in the Gaza Strip.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters released a statement expressing their support for the Alexander family and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive agreement to secure the freedom of all remaining hostages. They called on President Trump to continue his efforts to bring all hostages home and urged him to prioritize the release of the remaining Americans still held captive.

As the release of Edan Alexander was finalized, hopes were high for the safe return of the other hostages, including Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai. The families of the hostages urged President Trump to apply pressure on both Israel and Hamas to secure the release of all hostages and bring an end to the nightmare they had been living.

Edan Alexander, who was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, moved to Israel at 18 to volunteer for military service in the IDF’s Golani Brigade. He was kidnapped on October 7 while on guard duty, choosing to stay on base to support his comrades. Now 21 years old, Alexander had spent two birthdays in Hamas captivity, along with 58 other hostages still held in Gaza.

The release of Edan Alexander brings hope for the safe return of all remaining hostages and marks a significant milestone in the efforts to end the conflict and reunite families. The support and efforts of President Trump, along with diplomatic tools and regional allies, are crucial in ensuring the safe return of all hostages and bringing them home to their loved ones.