Washington [US], May 13: Hamas has released dual US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, a move praised by US President Donald Trump as a 'goodwill step' towards ending the conflict in Gaza.
Alexander, 20, was taken to an Israeli military facility and welcomed by his family. He holds dual citizenship and served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) before being captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held for 584 days, The Guardian reported.
Channel 12 reported that Edan Alexander did not meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu privately because of information that his physical and mental health was at a low level. He said he spent his days in a prison cell inside a tunnel with other hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu called the release of Alexander a "very emotional moment." "This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the political pressure from President Trump. This is a coordinated victory," he said.
Writing on the social network Truth Social on May 12, Mr. Trump congratulated Alexander's family, friends and relatives. Previously, he mentioned that the release of the hostage was a gesture of goodwill to end the brutal war and bring the hostages back home. Mr. Trump added that there are currently about 20 hostages believed to be still alive, although Israel has not confirmed this number.
The Israeli military only paused its assault on Gaza during the hostage handover. Gaza health officials said Israel resumed its bombardment afterward, including an airstrike on the city of Khan Younis that killed three people on May 12. Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said there would be no ceasefire and that Tel Aviv's plans to intensify its military operations would continue.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
