JERUSALEM. An Israeli-American soldier held hostage in Gaza for 19 months was freed on Monday during a brief pause in fighting. Still, Israeli airstrikes resumed shortly after, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring there is “no ceasefire of any kind.”
The Israeli military confirmed the release of 21-year-old Edan Alexander, who Hamas captured during the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated his transfer to Israeli custody.
Alexander was taken to an Israeli military facility where he was reunited with his emotional family. In a widely circulated video, his mother, Yael Alexander, tearfully embraced him and said, “How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried.” He was also seen hugging and kissing his father, brother, and sister before boarding an Air Force helicopter en route to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Alexander, a dual citizen who grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, had moved to Israel and was serving in the military at the time of his capture. According to Israel’s Channel 12, his physical condition was described as “low,” though he appeared in good spirits in released photos.
Israel temporarily paused its military operations in Gaza to facilitate the handover, but airstrikes and shelling resumed hours later, targeting areas in southern and northern Gaza. Health officials in the enclave reported that an airstrike killed three people and injured several others in Khan Younis, while tank shelling at a school-turned-shelter in the Tuffah neighborhood killed one woman and wounded several others.
Despite the hostage release, Netanyahu’s office emphasized that Israel had not agreed to a ceasefire, stating: “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind.” The Prime Minister attributed the successful recovery of Alexander to military pressure on Hamas and political support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is currently visiting the region.
Trump posted on social media, “Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!” A photo released by Israeli authorities showed Alexander aboard a military helicopter holding a sign that read: “Thank you, President Trump.”
Hamas stated that the release was a goodwill gesture toward the former U.S. president. However, no broader agreement for a ceasefire or further hostage releases has been reached. According to reports, 58 hostages remain in Gaza.
The release followed mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which described the event as a positive sign for potential truce negotiations. Israel confirmed that a delegation will travel to Qatar on Thursday to discuss a new proposal aimed at securing additional hostage releases.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global monitor, reported Monday that over 500,000 people in Gaza are at risk of starvation, with a critical risk of famine by September.
In Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, video clips on social media showed people dancing in the town square after hearing news of his release, offering a rare moment of joy in an ongoing and deeply complex conflict.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
