Edan Alexander, U.S.-Israeli hostage, released after more than 19 months in Hamas captivity

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Hamas launched Edan AlexanderBelieving that he is the last citizen hero of the United States as a hostage in Gaza, on Monday when President Trump left Washington For a trip To Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, authorities said. The office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israel government “will help in its absorption and accompany him and his family.”

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

Mr. Trump rejoiced for the launch of Alexander. “Congritions to their wonderful parents, family and friends!” He wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Hamas, a terrorist group designated by the United States and Israeli, said Sunday night he would Alexander releases Without conditions with the hope of working towards a durable fire in Gaza and renew the flow of vital humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory. On Monday, the International Red Cross Committee said in a statement, without idealizing Alexander, who “had successfully facilitated the safe transfer of a hostage from Gaza to Israeli authorities.”

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People see a live transmission or the Israeli soldier, Edan Alexander, while liberated from Hamas’s captivity in Gaza, in a square known as the Plaza de los Haranes in Tel Aviv, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Alexander, who is now 21 years old, grew in New Jersey before moving to Israel, where he was serving in the Israeli army on October 7, 2023, when he was kidnapped during Hamas’ attack or the attack that caused the attack he caused War in Gaza.

In February, CBS News spoke with Alexander’s mother, Yael, who said he was doing everything possible to fight for his son’s liberation and move on for his other children.

“It is not easy, but you know what, I am walking with the strength of my children to be fine and wake up everything and put clothes … to smile for them, hug them, tell them, I love them and give them very hopeful Edan Edan.”

The hostages and the missing families forum welcomed the news of Alexander’s release and said they would organize a march in the United States embassy in Israel on Monday to demand “an innovative and integral agreement” to take hostages home.

President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed to CBS News that he would travel to the region before Alexander’s launch, and local media said he had arrived earlier on Monday.

HAMAS SAID SUNDAY THE DECISSION TO DELEASE ALEXANDER CAME AFTER A Hutule, A Mutomy A Hutule, A Mutomy, Mutomy, Mutomy, Mutomy, Mutomy, Mutomy, Mutully and Hackky, a mutvav, the Gaza Strip administered by an independent professional body.

In a publication on his own social platform of truth, President Trump described the measure in “a step of good faith to the United States and the efforts of the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, to end this war and recovers so brutal. Or those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.”

The Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement by saying that “Israel did not commit to any fire or with the release of terrorists, but only with a sure corridor that would allow the release of Idan.” The Israel government uses that spelling of Alexander’s first name.

“We are in critical days when Hamas faces an agreement that will allow the release of our hostages,” said Prime Minister’s office. “The negotiations will continue under fire and while preparations are being made to intensify the fight.”

Israel has been avoiding the entry of food and medical aid in Gaza for almost three months, and help groups say that malnutrition is increasing throughout the enclave. Food security experts said in a report published on Monday that the Population of Gaza faced a critical hambruna risk.

“The entire population faces high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million people (one in five) who face hunger,” said the group’s food security phase classification in a report. “With the announced expansion of military operations through the Gaza Strip, the persistent inability of humanitarian agencies to access populations in terrible needs, an anticipated escalation in the hostilitions and the continuous mass displacement of people, the increase of people, people are increasingly probable.”

Also on Monday, Israeli strikes were reported in a school turn auion in the Jabaliya area in Gaza, killing 16 people mainly women and children, according to the Ministry of Health led by Hamas there.

Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.

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