Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American, has been held captive in the Gaza Strip for 525 days.  Hamas finally agreed to release him along with the bodies of four other hostages.  This decision comes as a result of ongoing talks in Qatar aimed at extending the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.  The bodies of the other hostages are dual-national individuals.

The Israeli government is closely monitoring the situation.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his team to discuss the next steps.  The release of hostages is a complex issue.  The U. S. has made it clear that Hamas must release hostages immediately or face severe consequences.  The U. S. has been working with Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a deal.  Hamas has been making demands that are not practical without a permanent ceasefire.  Hamas has been accused of using manipulation and psychological warfare.

Edan Alexander was born in Israel and spent most of his life in New Jersey.  He decided to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instead of going to college.  On October 7, 2023, while serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade, Alexander was captured by Hamas during an attack on Israel.  The attack resulted in 1, 200 Israelis dead and 251 hostages taken, including Alexander.  Edan's mother, Yael Alexander, recalls the day he was taken hostage.  She was in Israel visiting her family and hoping to see Edan.  On the morning of October 7, she spoke with Edan, who said that he was seeing "terrible stuff, " but he assured her that he was safe.  Then he was taken hostage.

Hamas released a video of Alexander speaking in Hebrew and Arabic.  Alexander, like other hostages forced to make propaganda videos, delivered messages about Netanyahu and then-President-elect Donald Trump.  The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the return of every hostage.  The return of any number of hostages must only be the beginning of an immediate and comprehensive deal to secure the release of ‘all hostages. '  As of today, 59 hostages remain.  We pray every single day for a deal that brings every one of them home, immediately.

EDAN ALEXANDER

Hostage Release: Edan Alexander's Freedom and the Ongoing Struggle

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