Hamas agreed Friday to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, along with the bodies of four dual-national hostages. Alexander has been held in Gaza for 525 days since being captured during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to free American-Israeli Edan Alexander, and the remains of four other deceased hostages with dual citizenship.
Israel has yet to confirm.
My heart is with the Alexander family. May they soon be reunited with Edan, who they have been missing for 525… pic.twitter.com/kQUqGTMnd4
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) March 14, 2025
The timeline for the release remains unclear, but the decision follows ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. Mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have facilitated indirect talks between Hamas and Israel.
Hamas stated it received a proposal from mediators and agreed to release Alexander and the remains of four other hostages. “The movement responded with responsibility and positivity,” Hamas said. Israel has accepted the deal, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas is engaging in “manipulations and psychological warfare.”
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and National Security Council official Eric Trager presented a ceasefire extension proposal in Doha. The deal would involve an exchange of living hostages for prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid. The U.S. has urged Hamas to act immediately.
President Donald Trump has warned Hamas of consequences if hostages are not freed. “Hamas will either release hostages immediately or pay a severe price,” a joint statement from the U.S. National Security Council and Witkoff’s office said.
Hamas has not identified the dead hostages or given a timeline for the release. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called for a full agreement to secure the return of all captives.
Alexander, an IDF soldier in the Golani Brigade, was patrolling near Gaza when Hamas attacked. His family has described him as “an all-American kid” who chose to serve in the Israeli military. Hamas previously released a propaganda video of Alexander, showing him pleading for his release.
The family of Edan Alexander authorizes the release of the video published by Hamas terror organization this evening (Saturday).
“The shocking video of Edan, an American-Israeli citizen, is definite proof that despite all the rumors – there are living hostages and they are… pic.twitter.com/gJcSv8LAtE
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) November 30, 2024
Negotiations continue in Qatar, with mediators working toward an extended ceasefire and a potential prisoner exchange.
