Edan Alexander to be released today as Trump begins Middle East tour

As US President Donald Trump embarks on a regional visit today, Edan Alexander, an Israeli-US citizen held hostage in Gaza since October 2023, is set to be released.

This move is seen as a “goodwill gesture” from Hamas to the Trump administration, fostering hopes for a potential new ceasefire between the warring factions.

The 21-year-old Alexander was abducted from his military base during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, raid on southern Israel. Subsequently, Israel launched its attacks on Gaza.

According to AFP, if released, Alexander would be the first hostage freed since Israel ended an 8-week ceasefire with Hamas in March and initiated intense aerial campaigns in Gaza. Hundreds have perished in Israeli strikes since then.

Israel states that 59 hostages, including Alexander, remain in Hamas’s custody. Roughly 24 of them are believed to be alive, with the remainder presumed dead. Hamas and its allied groups took approximately 250 people hostage in October 2023; some were subsequently released under ceasefire agreements.

US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Alexander’s release was “a step taken in good faith with the US, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.” Trump characterized the development as “significant progress towards bringing all living hostages and the remains of the deceased to their loved ones.”

Trump remarked, “I hope this step is the first of the final stages required to end this brutal war. I look forward to the day of celebration.”

Trump is scheduled to depart today for his inaugural official foreign trip, which encompasses Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Israel is not currently on his itinerary.

Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, also arrived in Israel today and is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet. Discussions during the meeting will encompass nuclear negotiations with Iran and the hostage situation.

Alexander’s family is reportedly en route from the US to Israel.

A statement from Netanyahu’s office indicated the anticipated release of Alexander. However, the Israeli side underscored that no concessions were made in return for this development, nor was there any agreement for a ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners.

As per the statement, Israel only agreed to establish a “safe corridor” for Alexander’s handover.

Meanwhile, a Hamas source informed AFP that mediators conveyed to Hamas that Israel would temporarily halt its attacks in Gaza for Alexander’s handover: “Hamas was informed that Israel ceased its air and ground operations exactly at 09:30 AM. This was done to create a safe corridor for Edan’s transfer and handover.”

As Hamas prepares to release Edan Alexander, criticism against Netanyahu has resurfaced.

During Netanyahu’s court hearing, where he is defending himself against corruption charges, a woman questioned, “While the American President is saving his own citizen, are you not ashamed to abandon theirs to death there?”

Opponents contend that Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for political gain and is not making sufficient efforts to rescue the hostages. Netanyahu, however, asserts his commitment to both rescuing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure.