In a significant development, President Donald Trump announced that Edan Alexander, the last U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, will be released by Hamas and will soon return to his family in New Jersey. This announcement comes after Alexander had been in captivity since October 2023.
Trump’s Announcement of Alexander’s Release
On Sunday, Trump shared the good news on his Truth Social account, expressing his happiness over Alexander’s upcoming return.
He said, “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.” Trump also thanked those involved in making the release happen, calling it a monumental achievement.
The president described the release as “a step taken in good faith” by Hamas, adding that it was a positive move toward ending the ongoing conflict. He also mentioned that this release could be the beginning of further efforts to bring all hostages home, both living and deceased.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Peace Talks
Trump’s statement came at a time when negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel had stalled. The announcement also aligns with Trump’s upcoming visit to the region later this week.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the U.S. had informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release Alexander as a “gesture” to the Americans, without expecting anything in return.
According to a statement, the U.S. expects this move to lead to further negotiations based on the original Witkoff framework. This framework, proposed by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, outlines plans for the safe return of hostages. However, the Israeli government has made it clear that there will be no ceasefire during these talks.
The Alexander Family’s Joy and Gratitude
The Alexander family expressed their immense relief and happiness upon hearing the news. In a statement, they called the announcement the “greatest gift imaginable.”
They thanked President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the U.S. administration for their efforts in securing Edan’s release. The family also urged Israel and other negotiators to continue their work to bring home other hostages.
The release of Edan Alexander marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations and peace efforts in the region, as the U.S. and its allies continue their work toward resolving the conflict.