Mon 12 May 2025:
The Palestinian group says the US citizen was released “a short while ago following contacts with the US administration”.
Edan Alexander was taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which set off the war in Gaza.
His release would be the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.
“This comes as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
“This step comes after important contacts in which Hamas demonstrated positivity and high flexibility.”
Hamas also urged the US administration “to continue its efforts to end this brutal war waged by the war criminal Netanyahu against children, women, and defenceless civilians in the Gaza Strip”.
Hamas has reiterated that the complete withdrawal of Israel’s army must be part of Gaza ceasefire negotiations after Israel promised to continue its assault.
“We affirm that serious and responsible negotiations achieve results in the release of prisoners. However, continuing the aggression prolongs their suffering and may kill them,” the Palestinian group said.
“We affirm the movement’s readiness to immediately begin negotiations to reach a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, a prisoner exchange and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.”
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Tears of joy in ‘Hostage Square’ after Alexander freed
Israeli television footage shows Alexander’s mother, Yael Alexander, arriving at the Reim military base in southern Israel, where her son is expected to be taken first.
Wearing shirts emblazoned with his name, Alexander’s extended family gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release. They cheered and chanted his name when the military said he was free. His grandmother Varda Ben Baruch beamed.
In a Tel Aviv plaza now known as Hostage Square, hundreds of people broke out into cheers.
Israel says 58 people remain in captivity with about 23 of them said to be alive. Many of the 250 captives taken by Hamas-led fighters in the 2023 attack were freed during two ceasefires.
Trump welcomes Alexander’s release
“Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!” the US president says in a social media post.
As we’ve been reporting, the Trump administration negotiated with Hamas for the release of Alexander, a dual US-Israeli citizen.
Trump on Sunday called the planned release “a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones”.
“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” Trump posted.
Trump, who is travelling to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week, is not scheduled to stop in Israel.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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