Hamas has released an Israeli-American hostage held captive for 19 months to Israeli forces as part of efforts to reach a new ceasefire deal, the group said.Edan Alexander, 21, had been serving in the Israeli army on the border of Gaza when he was captured by Hamas militants on 7 October 2023.On Monday, Israel paused its military operations in Gaza for a few hours to facilitate the transfer. A senior Hamas official told the BBC the release was intended as a goodwill gesture ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East on Tuesday. Mr Alexander is believed to have been the last US national alive held by Hamas. Trump offered “congratulations” to his family after his release.In a statement, his family thanked the US president but also urged the Israeli government and negotiators to continue working to free the 58 remaining hostages.Mr Alexander is the first to be freed by Hamas since Israel restarted its military offensive on 18 March, after a two-month ceasefire came to an end.On Monday, he was seen with masked Hamas fighters as they handed him over to Red Cross workers in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. He was then transferred to Israeli authorities in Gaza before being reunited with his family in southern Israel. The Israeli military said it provided a “safe corridor” for Mr Alexander’s release.A video shared on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s X account showed Yael Alexander speaking to her son over the phone.”You are strong. You are protected. You are home,” she said in the video.Netanyahu called Mr Alexander’s return a “very moving moment” – and thanked President Trump for his support.The release had been made possible because of military pressure on Hamas and “the political pressure exerted by Pre …
