Hamas has transferred to Edan Alexander, the last American host confirmed that he was held in Gaza, to the Red Cross before his liberation to Israel, according to Hamas and the Israeli army.
The 21 -year -old was released after several days of negotiations that involved the United States, with the aim of establishing a high fire and restoring humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
His release is ahead of the scheduled visit of the Middle East of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Alexander, originally from New Jersey, was serving with the Israeli army near Gaza's border when Hamas took him hostage during the attacks of October 7, 2023.
His mother, Yael Alexander, described him previously as “such an American child, full of life, very funny, very friendly” during a CNN interview in March.
After their release, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 that are believed to be still alive. Among the confirmed deceased are four American citizens: the married couple Gadi and Judi Weinstein Haggai, and the soldiers Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
Alexander's family celebrated the news on Mother's Day, calling him “the best imaginable gift”, and expressed his gratitude to Trump, the envoy of the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and the broader administration for his efforts.
Yael Alexander approached a flight to Israel on Sunday night to meet with his son. A photo shared by the special envoy of the USA Adam Boehler showed him aboard the commercial flight with his team.
In Jerusalem, protesters brought posters by Edan Alexander, asking for their release.
President Trump praised development as “monumental news” in Truth Social, calling him a sign of “good faith” of Hamas, Qatar and Egypt to end the conflict and guarantee the return of all hostages and remains.
Hamas officer, Mahmoud Mardawi, told the group's television channel that the agreement was a direct negotiation with the United States, exchanging Alexander's liberation by the reintroduction of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The American envoy Witkoff clarified to CNN that the conversations were made indirectly.
He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday later.
A life testing video since mid -April showed Alexander directly appealing to President Trump for help.
Shortly after, Hamas said he had lost contact with the militants who watched him.
Gaza remains on the edge of the famine due to the continuous block of Israel, which has lasted more than two months and has caused a serious shortage and inflated prices.
Israel has said that the blockade aims to press Hamas to release all hostages. However, international organizations argue that the restriction violates international law, and some accuse Israel of Arm of Naze, a possible war crime.
Despite the launch of Alexander, Israel has not resumed humanitarian aid.
A statement from the Netanyahu office emphasized that Israel had only agreed to establish a “safe corridor” for the release of the hostage and had not committed to a high the wider fire or the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Trump expressed the hope that this development could lead to the end of the war, while Netanyahu reiterated that “negotiations will take place under fire.”
Speaking in March, Yael Alexander told CNN that he never stopped waiting: “I am a mother. I just want to hug him and say: 'Edan, you are safe. You are at home.'”
(CNN)
Read too Main stories OF Nigerian tribe