United States – Israel hostage Edan Alexander is released after more than 19 months of imprisonment in Hamas

Hamas releases Edan AlexanderPresident Trump left Washington on Monday and was believed to be the last living U.S. citizen in Gaza to be held hostages travel Officials said about Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Alexander was transferred to the Red Cross and then to the IDF.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the Israeli government “will assist his absorption and will accompany him and his family.” Netanyahu's office released a video in which Alexander was transferred to the IDF's hands.

“The Israeli government is committed to the return of all the kidnapped and missing persons – both life and the dead,” the Netanyahu office said in a statement.

Mr. Trump is pleased with Alexander's release. “Congratulations to his amazing parents, family and friends!” he wrote on social media platforms, truth socializing.

Hamas, a designated terrorist group in the United States and Israel, said on Sunday night Free Alexander There are no conditions, and hopes to be able to work towards an enduring ceasefire in Gaza and to restart important humanitarian assistance for the surrounded Palestinian territory. In a statement without identifying Alexander, the ICRC said on Monday that it “successfully promoted the safe transfer of hostages from Gaza to Israeli authorities”.

Alexander, 21, grew up in New Jersey and then moved to Israel, served in the Israeli military on October 7, 2023 when he was kidnapped in an attack conducted by Hamas, which inspired the excitement The Gaza War.

In February, CBS News spoke with Alexander's mother, Yael, who said she was fighting for her son's release and continued to fight for other children.

“It's not easy, but what you know, I'll grab the strength from my kids, wake up every morning and put on my clothes… Smile for them, hug them, tell them how much I love them and give them a lot of hope that Edan is OK.”

The Hostages and Missing Family Forum welcomed news of Alexander's release and said they will organize a march at the U.S. Embassy in Israel on Monday, demanding that the remaining hostages be taken home “a breakthrough and comprehensive agreement.”

Mr. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed to CBS News that he would travel to the area before Alexander’s release, local media said he arrived earlier Monday.

Hamas said Sunday that the decision to release Alexander came after “the past few days of engagement with the U.S. government” and that the group was ready to immediately begin intensive negotiations to make a serious effort to reach a final agreement to end the war, establish a prisoner exchange, and establish an independent professional and secure an independent professional institution.

In a post about the Truth Society, Trump said, “A step toward the United States sincerely, and the efforts of mediators – Qatar and Egypt to end this very cruel war and return all living hostages to their loved ones. Hopefully, this is the first step necessary to end this cruel conflict.”

“Israel is not committed to any ceasefire or release of terrorists, but is just a security corridor that allows Itan to release,” Netanyahu's office said in a statement. The Israeli government spelled it with Alexander's name.

“We are at a critical moment, and Hamas faces an agreement that allows the release of hostages,” the prime minister's office said. “The negotiations will continue to be under fire and are preparing to step up the fight.”

Israel has been blocking food and medical assistance into Gaza for nearly three months, with aid groups saying malnutrition is spreading throughout the enclave. Food security experts said in a report released on Monday that Gaza's population is at risk of famine.

“The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 500,000 people (one in five) facing hunger,” the organization said in a report. “With the announcement of military operations across the Gaza Strip expanding, humanitarian agencies are unable to sustain the inability to meet the needs of the population, the expected escalation of hostilities and the continued mass displacement of people, the risk of famine in the Gaza Strip is not only likely — increasingly possible.”

Also on Monday, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, Israel reportedly underwent a strike in the Jabaliya area of ​​Gaza, killing 16 people, mainly women and children.

Kathryn Watson contributed to the report.