Hamas Agrees to Release Last Known U.S. Hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander, in Ceasefire-Linked Deal

By: Russ Spencer

In a significant breakthrough tied to broader ceasefire efforts in Gaza, Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier who was captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks and believed to be the last living American held hostage in the Gaza Strip. As reported by NBC News on Sunday afternoon, the development comes after weeks of uncertainty regarding Alexander’s status and whereabouts, with Hamas previously claiming it had lost contact with the group holding him captive.

Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’ negotiating delegation, confirmed the agreement in a statement on Sunday, tying Alexander’s release to “steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid” into Gaza. While al-Hayya did not provide information on Alexander’s current condition, the gesture is being widely seen as a critical confidence-building move amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, confirmed the agreement to NBC News, adding that he is en route to Israel to facilitate Alexander’s release.

“We are picking him up probably tomorrow,” Witkoff told NBC News. “There was a long negotiation with lots of people to thank.”

Witkoff emphasized that the release was intended as a gesture of goodwill toward President Donald Trump, crediting the president’s leadership and diplomacy with helping to unlock a deal. “This is a big moment in large part because of Trump,” he added.

The Hostage Family Forum, an advocacy group supporting relatives of captives, confirmed in a statement that Alexander’s family had been notified of the agreement and remains “in ongoing contact with the U.S. administration” regarding next steps.

Alexander, an American-born soldier serving in the IDF, was captured along with roughly 250 other hostages on October 7, 2023, during the coordinated Hamas assault on southern Israel. According to prior reports from NBC News, Hamas had initially agreed to release Alexander in March as part of a broader hostage deal that also involved the return of the bodies of four other dual nationals. However, the group later claimed to have lost contact with the terrorists holding him, blaming Israeli airstrikes for disrupting communications and access.

The uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s fate further complicated hostage negotiations, which had already been teetering after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire earlier this year.

As NBC News previously reported, Hamas and Israel had agreed to a limited ceasefire in January, facilitating the exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody. The truce also allowed for a significant, albeit short-lived, increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, by March, the ceasefire had unraveled amid disputes over how to transition the pause into a lasting agreement.

Al-Hayya’s statement on Sunday suggested that Hamas is prepared to engage in a comprehensive negotiation to end the war, stating the group was ready to “exert serious efforts to reach a final agreement to end the war.”

Further complicating the regional picture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week revealed that the country’s security cabinet had approved a new military strategy aimed at capturing the entire Gaza Strip. The plan envisions the relocation of more than 2 million Palestinians currently residing in the enclave—an approach that has drawn international criticism and widened strategic rifts between Israel and its closest ally, the United States.

As NBC News reported, multiple U.S. and Middle Eastern officials confirm growing tension between Trump and Netanyahu over their divergent approaches to both Gaza and Iran. While Netanyahu has remained committed to a military resolution, President Trump reportedly sees an opportunity to negotiate a broader regional agreement, especially in light of Iran’s weakened posture following recent internal instability and sanctions pressure.

Still, Netanyahu on Sunday moved quickly to refute any suggestion of a rift. In a video posted to X, he called his relationship with Trump “excellent” and stated that the two “see eye-to-eye on almost everything.”

Witkoff’s confirmation that Alexander’s pickup is expected imminently suggests that logistical arrangements are underway, and U.S. officials are working closely with their Israeli counterparts to ensure the transfer proceeds safely.

The coming days may reveal whether this development opens the door to renewed ceasefire talks or simply serves as a momentary breakthrough in a still deeply entrenched conflict. For Alexander’s family, however, hope is finally replacing heartbreak.

“We’re told he’s coming home,” a source close to the family told NBC News. “We are holding our breath until he’s back.”