Hamas launched Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander in Gaza on Monday night, handing him over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Younis, in keeping with Israeli Channel 7. He is the final identified dwelling U.S. hostage held in Gaza.
An Israeli official confirmed that the switch of Edan Alexander was underway with out offering specifics. The official was not approved to temporary the media and spoke on situation of anonymity.
Alexander was taken from his army base in southern Israel throughout Hamas’ cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023. His launch can be the primary since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza which have killed a whole lot.
Israel has vowed to accentuate its genocidal assaults, together with by seizing the territory and displacing a lot of its inhabitants once more. Days earlier than the cease-fire ended, Israel blocked all imports from coming into the Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian disaster and sparking warnings concerning the threat of famine if the blockade is not lifted.
Israel says 59 hostages, together with Alexander, stay in captivity, with about 24 of them mentioned to be alive. Many of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas had been freed in cease-fire offers.
Television footage confirmed Alexander’s mom, Yael Alexander, arriving on the Reim army base in southern Israel, the place her son was anticipated to be taken first.
Alexander’s grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, mentioned she had barely been in a position to sleep and had baked Edan’s favourite meals, a few of which she despatched to the army base.
Hamas on Sunday introduced its intention to launch Alexander, shortly earlier than U.S. President Donald Trump is ready to reach Tuesday within the Middle East on the primary official international journey of his second time period.
Trump on Sunday referred to as the deliberate launch “a step taken in good religion in the direction of the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to place an finish to this very brutal warfare and return ALL dwelling hostages and stays to their family members.”
“Hopefully that is the primary of these last steps needed to finish this brutal battle. I look very a lot ahead to that day of celebration!” Trump mentioned on social media.
Trump, who’s touring to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, isn’t scheduled to cease in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Monday with the U.S. particular envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and mentioned efforts to launch the remaining hostages, his workplace mentioned.
“To this end, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed that a negotiations team leave for Doha tomorrow,” the prime minister’s office said, adding that Netanyahu had “made it clear that the negotiations would solely happen below hearth.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a bunch representing kin of hostages, welcomed the news that an Israeli delegation was headed to Doha for talks.
“While Edan Alexander’s release gives us hope, all 58 of our loved ones must come home. Time is running out. These negotiations must bring everyone back,” the group said in a statement. “Trump’s plan gives an actual path to liberating all hostages instantly. Every passing day places their lives at higher threat. We can’t wait any longer.”
On Monday, a press release from Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned Israel was not granting any concessions for Alexander’s launch.
The assertion mentioned Israel didn’t decide to a cease-fire or the liberating of Palestinian prisoners as a part of the discharge and that it had solely agreed to create a “secure hall” to permit for Alexander to be returned.
The assertion mentioned Israel would keep it up with plans to ramp up its offensive in Gaza. Israel says it will not launch that plan till after Trump’s go to to the Middle East, to permit for a possible new ceasefire deal to emerge.
A press release by the workplace on Sunday mentioned the U.S. had informed Israel that Alexander’s launch may result in a brand new cope with Hamas to free extra hostages.
Source: www.dailysabah.com