Hamas says it launched Israeli-American hostage in goodwill gesture towards Trump administration

Folks watch a reside broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he’s launched from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza often known as the hostages sq. in Tel Aviv, Monday, Could 12, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: AP

An Israeli-American soldier held hostage for greater than 19 months within the Gaza Strip was launched Monday (Could 12, 2025), Hamas stated, in a goodwill gesture towards the Trump administration that might lay the groundwork for a brand new ceasefire with Israel.

The Israeli navy confirmed that Edan Alexander had been turned over to the Purple Cross and was being delivered to Israeli forces. Israeli authorities didn’t present particulars.

Carrying shirts emblazoned along with his title, Alexander’s prolonged household gathered in Tel Aviv to observe the discharge. They cheered and chanted his title when the navy stated he was free. His grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, beamed. In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Sq., a whole lot of individuals broke out into cheers.

Alexander was 19 when he was taken from his navy base in southern Israel throughout Hamas’ cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the warfare in Gaza. His launch was the primary since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza which have killed a whole lot.

Israel has promised to accentuate its offensive, together with by seizing the territory and displacing a lot of its inhabitants once more. Days earlier than the ceasefire ended, Israel blocked all imports from getting into the Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian disaster and sparking warnings concerning the danger of famine if the blockade is not lifted. Israel says the steps are supposed to stress Hamas to just accept a ceasefire settlement on Israel’s phrases.

Israel says 58 hostages stay in captivity, with about 23 of them stated to be alive. Most of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants within the 2023 assault have been freed in ceasefire offers.

Tv footage confirmed Alexander’s mom, Yael Alexander, arriving on the Reim navy base in southern Israel, the place her son was anticipated to be taken first.

Hamas on Sunday introduced its intention to launch Alexander, shortly earlier than U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to reach Tuesday within the Center East on the primary official overseas journey of his second time period.

Trump on Sunday referred to as the deliberate launch “a step taken in good religion in direction of the USA and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to place an finish to this very brutal warfare and return ALL residing hostages and stays to their family members.”

“Hopefully that is the primary of these last steps needed to finish this brutal battle. I look very a lot ahead to that day of celebration!” Trump stated on social media.

Trump, who’s touring to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, is just not scheduled to cease in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday with the U.S. particular envoy to the Center East, Steve Witkoff and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and mentioned efforts to launch the remaining hostages, his workplace stated.

“To this finish, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed {that a} negotiations workforce depart for Doha tomorrow,” the prime minister’s workplace stated, including that Netanyahu had “made it clear that the negotiations would solely happen below hearth.”

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, a gaggle representing relations of hostages, welcomed the information that an Israeli delegation was headed to Doha for talks.

“Whereas Edan Alexander’s launch offers us hope, all 58 of our family members should come dwelling. Time is working out. These negotiations should carry everybody again,” the group stated in an announcement. “Trump’s plan presents an actual path to liberating all hostages instantly. Each passing day places their lives at larger danger. We can not wait any longer.”

On Monday, an announcement from Netanyahu’s workplace stated Israel was not granting any concessions for Alexander’s launch.

The assertion stated Israel didn’t decide to a ceasefire or the liberating of Palestinian prisoners as a part of the discharge and that it had solely agreed to create a “protected hall” to permit for Alexander to be returned.

The assertion stated Israel would keep it up with plans to ramp up its offensive in Gaza. Israel says it will not launch that plan till after Trump’s go to to the Center East, to permit for a possible new ceasefire deal to emerge.

A press release by the workplace on Sunday stated the U.S. had advised Israel that Alexander’s launch may result in a brand new cope with Hamas to free extra hostages.

Israel’s involvement in Alexander’s anticipated launch wasn’t instantly clear. However it created a backlash towards Netanyahu, with critics accusing him of getting to depend on a overseas chief to assist free the remaining hostages.

On the opening of his trial for alleged corruption, the place he’s giving testimony, a lady within the courtroom requested whether or not he was “ashamed that the president of the USA is saving his residents, and he’s leaving them to die there in captivity.”

Critics assert that Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining the warfare in Gaza is politically motivated. Netanyahu says he goals to attain Israel’s objectives of liberating the hostages and dismantling Hamas.

Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 folks within the 2023 assault. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 52,800 Palestinians, a lot of them ladies and kids, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t say how most of the lifeless have been combatants or civilians.

Israel’s offensive has obliterated huge swaths of Gaza’s city panorama and displaced 90% of the inhabitants, typically a number of instances.