Hamas announces that hostage Edan Alexander has been released – Liberation

The Al-Qassam brigades, Hamas army section, released the Israeli-American hostage on Monday on Monday Edan Alexander, who would have been handed over to the Red Cross following direct negotiations with the United States in Doha, « As part of the efforts made by the mediators to reach a ceasefire », said the press release from the Palestinian Islamist movement. This news comes on the eve of the beginning of The Middle East tour of American president Donald Trumpexpected from Tuesday to Friday in Saudi Arabia, in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, one of the mediating countries between Israel and Hamas at war in Gaza for more than a year and a half.

During an interview with the White House on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked his American counterpart for his help in the release of the hostage, his government said in a statement. « The Al-Qassam brigades have decided to release the Zionist soldier of American nationality, Edan Alexander (…) today »announced in the morning the spokesperson for Hamas, Abou Obeida, in a message on Telegram. According to a source within the movement, they were informed, via the mediators, of a break in the fighting for this occasion.

The 21 -year -old was held in the Palestinian territory since the attacks of October 7, 2023. His family said on Sunday that he was informed that his release was expected « In the coming days ». It will not be accompanied by a public event, as was the case in previous liberations, according to a source close to Hamas.

Donald Trump described on Sunday as « New monumental » The announcement by Hamas of the release of an Israeli-American hostage retained in the Gaza Strip, saying to hope the release of all the others and the end of the war. « I am grateful to those who have contributed to the realization of this new monumental », said the American president in a message on his Truth Social network. He added that the liberation of Edan Alexander is « The first of the last stages necessary at the end of this brutal conflict », which opposes Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2023.

The Israeli Prime Minister said on Monday that the release of an Israeli-American hostage announced by Hamas would not give rise to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, or to a release of Palestinian prisoners. In a press release from his services, Benyamin Netanyahu, on the contrary, repeated that negotiations for an agreement to obtain the release of all the hostages still retained in Gaza would be made « Under fire » and that his country was still preparing to « Intensification of fights ».

According to him, the expected release of only living hostage having American nationality was made possible thanks to the « Military pressure » Israeli in the Gaza Strip. “We are at the heart of decisive days, during which a proposal was presented in Hamas allowing the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, in parallel with preparations for an intensification of the fighting ”, added the head of the Israeli government.

Edan Alexander, 21, is the only living hostage with American nationality still retained in Gaza. He had been kidnapped on October 7 while he was used in an elite unit in southern Israel, near Gaza. On April 15, Hamas said he had lost the contact, Following an Israeli strike, With the group held hostage in Gaza.

In a joint declaration, Egypt and Qatar, the two countries used as mediators in talks between Hamas and Israel, qualified this announcement as « Gesture of goodwill and an encouraging step towards a return to the negotiation table to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of prisoners and prisoners, and guarantee the safe and unhindered flow of aid » humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian civil defense reported on Monday« at least » Ten dead, including several women and children, in an Israeli aerial shot against a school housing displaced in Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip.

« At least ten dead, including several women and children, as well as dozens of injured were transported following an Israeli air strike on the Fatima Bint Assad school, which houses more than 2,000 displaced in the city of Jabalia », The Civil Defense spokesperson in Gaza told AFP Mahmoud Bassal.

Update at 5.30 p.m. with the announcement of the effective release.