Edan Alexander reunites with family at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital
Netanyahu credits IDF military pressure, US diplomacy for Alexander's release • Trump heads to Middle East
'We want to bring hostages home, but Israel not willing to end the war,' Witkoff reportedly says
Trump administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, commented at a meeting with hostage families, sources at the meeting told Channel 12.
The Trump administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, criticized Israel in a meeting with hostage families, according to a Sunday evening report by Channel 12.
"We want to bring the hostages home, but Israel is not willing to end the war. Israel is prolonging it despite the fact that we don’t see where else we can go and that an agreement must be reached," Witkoff commented during the meeting, according to sources present.
Go to the full article >>Adam Boehler to head to Israel with Alexander family - source to 'Post'
Trump's hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, is traveling to Israel with Edan Alexander’s parents to Israel to meet their son after his release from Hamas captivity, a US official told The Jerusalem Post.
Go to the full article >>Trump confirms release of hostage Edan Alexander: 'I am grateful'
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday the release of hostage Edan Alexander, who is being held captive by Hamas.
On his social media, the president wrote that he was "pleased to announce that Edan Alexander, a US citizen held captive since October 2023, is returning home to his family."
"I am grateful to everyone involved in making this amazing news happen. This is a gesture of goodwill for the United States and for the efforts of mediators Qatar and Egypt," the president wrote.
I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 11, 2025
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'A gesture of goodwill toward Trump,' Egyptian official says on Edan Alexander release deal
Following Hamas' announcement of the release of hostage Edan Alexander, an Egyptian official revealed new details of the deal in a conversation with the Associated Press.
"Direct contacts between Hamas and the US began five days ago," the Egyptian source said, adding that "Alexander's release is a gesture of goodwill toward Trump. Hamas was told, 'Give Trump a gift and he will repay you with a bigger gift.'"
Hamas will release hostage Edan Alexander Monday at noon - report
Hamas said it will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Monday at noon, Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat reported, citing Gazan sources knowledgeable on the matter.
Go to the full article >>Israel at war: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Supernova music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 58 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on January 17, 2025.