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By: Fern Sidman

In a dramatic development just hours before President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, Hamas released Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage held in Gaza. According to multiple sources cited by The New York Times, the release was the result of a deal brokered primarily between the United States and Hamas, largely bypassing the Israeli government and further highlighting the complex and fractured nature of ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.

Mr. Alexander, 21, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen originally from New Jersey, had been serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel that launched the current war in Gaza. He was one of approximately 250 hostages taken into Gaza in the attack, which Israeli and U.S. officials have described as the most brutal mass abduction of Israeli and foreign nationals in the nation’s history.

As reported by The New York Times on Monday, Mr. Alexander’s release was not part of a broader cease-fire agreement, making his case exceptional and underscoring the impasse between Israel and Hamas over the fate of more than 60 remaining hostages — at least 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.

Hamas officials, speaking to The New York Times, emphasized that Alexander’s release was intended as a “goodwill gesture” toward the United States and a signal of willingness to engage in more comprehensive negotiations — though notably, not with Israel directly. The move is widely seen as an attempt to curry favor with the Trump administration ahead of the president’s regional visit, which does not include a stop in Israel and is focused primarily on bolstering ties with Gulf allies such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Alexander’s family was reunited with him Monday evening, as shared in images and video released by Israeli authorities. According to Israeli media reports, the young soldier had been held in a cage in an underground Hamas tunnel, his hands and feet bound, with minimal food and harsh conditions. Despite his weakened appearance, he was seen smiling and embracing his loved ones upon his return.

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to frame the release as a vindication of his military strategy, insisting that mounting pressure on Hamas had forced the group’s hand, critics pointed to the conspicuous absence of an Israeli role in the negotiation. As The New York Times report noted, growing factions within Israel see Netanyahu’s approach as failing to prioritize hostage recovery and believe his refusal to embrace a longer-term truce is leaving captives at risk.

The rift within Israel over the government’s wartime strategy continues to deepen. Many families of hostages and their supporters have called for a permanent cease-fire, even if it means allowing Hamas to maintain a foothold in Gaza. Netanyahu, however, remains committed to total military defeat of the Iranian-backed terrorist group and has so far rejected any deal that would tie a truce to ending the war outright.

Still, as The New York Times reported, the Israeli prime minister reluctantly agreed Monday to send a delegation to resume negotiations for a temporary cease-fire, a move that may indicate growing pressure both domestically and internationally to shift course. Yet for many, that step falls short of what’s needed to bring home the remaining captives.

This approach was met with mixed feelings by relatives of other captives, many of whom gathered in Tel Aviv to rally for a comprehensive hostage release deal.

“I’m happy for Edan, I really am,” said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod remains in Hamas captivity. “But it’s hard not to feel frustrated that he was released only because he’s an American citizen,” he told The New York Times.

Cohen added, however, that he found a glimmer of hope in the way President Donald Trump appeared to sidestep Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “He’s losing patience,” Cohen said. “We hope it’s the start of a new deal—one that forces Netanyahu to end the war and get all the hostages out.”

President Trump further encouraged that belief with a statement on social media Sunday, suggesting that Alexander’s release could be “the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.”

The Times has reported that earlier this year, U.S. officials met directly with Hamas representatives, despite objections from the Israeli government. While contact had ceased following Israeli complaints, it remains unclear whether back-channel negotiations resumed in recent weeks to facilitate Alexander’s release. Adam Boehler, a former U.S. official involved in those meetings, posted a photograph of himself with Alexander’s mother, Yael, as the two flew from the U.S. to Israel to greet Edan.

This symbolic image has resonated with families of other hostages, many of whom now believe only U.S. intervention—not Israeli military pressure—can bring their loved ones home.

Earlier on Monday, according to a report on the Israel National News web site, Alexander crossed back into Israel at the IDF’s Re’im Reception Center, where he was met by Israeli special forces and reunited with his father, Adi Alexander.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Edan was accompanied by elite units during his return and was immediately transferred for medical evaluation and emotional support as part of the standard debriefing process for returned hostages.

“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his way home to the State of Israel,” read an official statement from the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, as cited by Israel National News. “We ask everyone to respect the privacy of the returning hostage and his family during this sensitive time.”

In a poignant gesture reflecting the importance of the moment, Edan’s father, Adi, was airlifted by an Israeli Air Force helicopter from Ben Gurion Airport to the Re’im base to reunite with his son. The emotional reunion, described by Israel National News as “deeply moving,” marked a powerful milestone not only for the Alexander family but also for a nation still grappling with the trauma of mass abductions and ongoing conflict.

Following his initial medical intake at Re’im, Edan Alexander was transferred by helicopter to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where he is undergoing a comprehensive medical evaluation and psychological support to aid in his recovery.

While onboard the IDF helicopter en route to Tel Aviv, Alexander wrote his first public message since his release on a whiteboard—a message that captured both gratitude and unbreakable spirit:

“Thank you, President Trump. Am Yisrael Chai. Go Golani 51.”

The message, first reported by Israel National News, is already being hailed as symbolic of Alexander’s resilience and dedication to the nation. “Am Yisrael Chai,” meaning “The nation of Israel lives,” is a powerful phrase that resonates deeply in Israeli culture, especially in moments of national trial.

His shoutout to President Trump reflects recognition of the critical diplomatic role played by the United States in securing his release.

Israelis across the country have been following Alexander’s story with intense interest, and his return has sparked renewed calls for broader negotiations to free the remaining hostages. As Israel National News reported, IDF officials and government leaders have praised the safe return of Alexander while emphasizing the need for continued pressure to secure the release of all captives still held in Gaza.

While details of Alexander’s condition remain closely guarded, preliminary reports indicate he was held in harsh conditions, including prolonged confinement in underground tunnels. Despite this, his spirits remain remarkably high, judging by the message he shared and the visible emotion in his reunion with his father.

As the nation celebrates the return of one of its sons, Israel National News reminds readers that the battle to bring the remaining hostages home continues—and that moments like these, however joyful, are laced with solemn reflection on those who have yet to return.

For now, though, Edan Alexander is back on Israeli soil, embraced by a grateful people and a proud army, whispering a phrase that has never rung truer: Am Yisrael Chai.

In a pivotal diplomatic moment preceding the release of Edan Alexander, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a high-level meeting on Monday with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, as reported by Israel National News. The meeting, conducted at a critical juncture in the ongoing hostage crisis and the Gaza conflict, focused on finalizing a framework for Alexander’s release and discussing the potential next steps in both military and diplomatic arenas.

Following the meeting, Netanyahu spoke directly with President Donald Trump, expressing gratitude for his administration’s instrumental role in securing the freedom of the 21-year-old IDF soldier. According to Israel National News, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that President Trump reaffirmed his “unwavering commitment to Israel” and his desire to maintain close strategic cooperation going forward.

As reported by Israel National News, Netanyahu emphasized the need to balance diplomatic efforts with continued military pressure, which he believes is essential for compelling Hamas to make further concessions.

In line with this dual strategy, Netanyahu authorized the immediate deployment of a negotiation team to Doha, where talks with Qatari intermediaries are expected to resume on Tuesday. Qatar, which maintains open channels with Hamas leadership, has been a key actor in facilitating past hostage releases.

However, Netanyahu made one point unmistakably clear. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, he reiterated that “negotiations will only be conducted under fire,” signaling that Israel will not halt its military operations in Gaza even as talks progress. This principle reflects the government’s view that sustained military pressure has been the primary driver of recent hostage releases, including Alexander’s.

The meeting also served to solidify U.S.-Israel cooperation under the Trump administration during a time of heightened regional tensions. Both Witkoff and Huckabee praised Israel’s military resolve and humanitarian efforts, while reaffirming Washington’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense, as detailed by Israel National News.

According to Liqaa Maki, a researcher at Al Jazeera’s Media Institute, the arrangement behind Alexander’s return has also handed Hamas a significant strategic and diplomatic victory, one that has exposed growing tensions between the United States and Israel. These observations were detailed in a report by Israel National News (INN), which has been closely tracking the aftermath of Alexander’s release.

While Hamas reportedly received no direct compensation for allowing Alexander to go free, Maki contends that the non-material gains are profound—potentially even more impactful than ransom or concessions. As cited by INN, Maki emphasized that the deal has embarrassed the Israeli government, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while simultaneously highlighting the deterioration of trust between Washington and Jerusalem.

According to INN, Maki points out that the negotiations to free Alexander were largely orchestrated between the U.S. and Hamas, with little to no direct involvement from the Israeli government. This departure from past protocol sets a concerning precedent, Maki warns: the normalization of direct U.S. dealings with a terrorist group, bypassing its closest Middle East ally.

This, Maki argues, has created the public perception that the United States prioritized the release of its own citizen above all else, sending an unintended message that the lives of American hostages are valued more than those of Israeli captives. According to Israel National News, this has stirred emotional and political backlash within Israel, where families of other hostages are still awaiting signs of progress.

Among the most politically damaging outcomes, Maki asserts, is the diplomatic humiliation suffered by Prime Minister Netanyahu. As the INN report highlighted, the release of Alexander without an Israeli-led framework makes Netanyahu appear marginalized and reactive, rather than decisive and in control of national policy.

Moreover, the optics of Netanyahu being informed about and reacting to a deal forged between Washington and Hamas, rather than leading such negotiations himself, has weakened his stature, not only domestically but also in the eyes of President Trump. Maki suggests that this shift could signal a recalibration in U.S.-Israel relations, where the United States may pursue a broader diplomatic agenda in Gaza even if it diverges from Israel’s more aggressive military objectives.

Perhaps most consequential, according to Maki’s analysis as reported by Israel National News, is Hamas’s ability to drag the United States deeper into the diplomatic arena, potentially steering Washington toward an outcome Hamas favors: an end to the war in Gaza. This would be a significant shift from Israel’s current stance, which has prioritized the total defeat of Hamas and rejected long-term ceasefires that leave the group intact.

Maki concludes that Hamas’s greatest achievement in this deal is not the return of a prisoner, but the political wedge driven between allies, and the subtle reframing of the Gaza conflict’s endgame—from unconditional military victory to negotiated compromise.