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Hamas decision to free Alexander follows direct talks with US
Hamas has confirmed in a statement that the group is going to be releasing dual-national citizen Edan Alexander.
He was an Israeli soldier at the time he was taken captive on October 7, 2023 and the US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, says that he’s arriving in Israel on Monday in hopes of bringing Alexander back to the United States, where he also holds citizenship.
It’s worth mentioning that these talks happened behind the scenes between the Americans and Hamas directly. The last time there were direct talks between the two parties, the Israelis were very angry because they were not involved, and the Americans hit back then, saying that they did not need anyone’s permission to negotiate when it came to the US captives who were being held in Gaza.
Now, when it comes to the rest of the 58 captives still being held in Gaza, the Israeli public says that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prioritising his own personal and political gains over the lives of those remaining in captivity.
Netanyahu’s office did release a statement on Alexander’s release, saying he is set to be freed for nothing in exchange, but rather as a goodwill gesture to the Americans and to President Trump, who is set to arrive in the region on Tuesday.
Trump confirms US-Israeli captive returning home in step towards ending ‘brutal war’
The US president says Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier who has been held captive since October 2023, “is coming home to his family”.
In a post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump acknowledged the efforts of mediators Qatar and Egypt and said Alexander’s release was a “step taken in good faith towards the United States” 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!” he said.
The announcement comes as Trump is due to begin a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
