Did Freed Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander Just Return to Israel from Gaza?

Jerusalem, May 13 (NationPress) - The Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander has finally returned to Israel after being released from Gaza, where he endured 19 months in Hamas captivity, according to a statement from Israel's Defence Ministry.

Alexander arrived at the Re'im military base in southern Israel, close to the Gaza Strip, to reunite with his family, who had just flown in from the United States, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

A previously taken photo from Gaza depicted Alexander wearing a black T-shirt and a baseball cap, flanked by armed Hamas militants and a Red Cross representative during the handover.

His release was facilitated through direct negotiations between Washington and Hamas.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump expressed his joy at the release, stating: "Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage, is being released. Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Alexander back, emphasizing that the nation "embraces" him and is dedicated to the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, vowing to work tirelessly until they are all home.

Shira Solomon, a spokesperson for the Israeli Health Ministry, mentioned that Alexander was undergoing an initial medical evaluation at the reception facility at the Re'im base and would later be moved to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

"Medical teams at the hospital are fully prepared to provide all essential medical, psychological, and rehabilitation support for Alexander, along with assistance for his family and any other needs that may arise," Solomon stated.

In Hostages Square, a public space in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, renamed after the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, hundreds congregated to witness Alexander's return on large screens. They displayed photos of the freed hostage and held signs stating: "Only an end to the war in Gaza would secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Sources from Hamas confirmed that Alexander was handed over to a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross at a specified location in southern Gaza's Khan Younis. He was subsequently transferred to the Israeli army-controlled buffer zone before reaching the Re'im military base.

Eyewitnesses in Khan Younis noted that Israeli military operations were paused before and during the release, resulting in a relatively calm atmosphere.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, stated in a press release that Alexander's release was part of mediation efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire, reopening crossings, and facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Alexander, a US-born soldier serving in the Israeli army, was captured on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led raid on southern Israel, an attack that led to the kidnapping of 251 individuals and resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

His return signifies a crucial move towards renewed negotiations regarding a Gaza ceasefire deal, which, following Alexander's return, aims to facilitate the release of the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza, with 20 believed to still be alive. Negotiations are anticipated to commence on Tuesday, with mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Netanyahu's office has announced that an Israeli delegation will be heading to Doha for discussions, but emphasized that these talks would occur "only under fire."

Since October 2023, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of 52,862 Palestinians and injuries to 119,648 others in Gaza, according to local health authorities.