Hamas releases Edan Alexander, last living American hostage, to Red Cross

(JTA) — This is a developing story.

Hamas has released Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli citizen, back to Israel under a deal reached with the United States.

The release, conducted Monday evening in Gaza, may inaugurate a new phase in the hostage crisis that has consumed Israel since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, 2023, taking 250 captives and opening the war in Gaza.

Israeli media reported that at 6:30 local time, Hamas said it had transferred Alexander to the Red Cross after 584 days in captivity. He will be handed over to the Israeli military, who will bring him to Israel, where he will meet his parents Adi and Yael Alexander, as well as other family members, and will undergo medical examinations.

Hostage releases have happened before, but this was the first that was arranged directly between the terror group and the United States —  without Israel’s knowledge or involvement. It is also the first time Hamas has released a living Israeli soldier on active duty. And it means that, as of now, for the first time in more than a year and a half, there are no living Americans who are still held hostage in Gaza.

Alexander was born to Israeli parents living in Tenafly, New Jersey, and enlisted in the Israeli military. He was serving as a soldier on the Gaza border when he was taken captive in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack at age 19.

Crowds waited in tense anticipation in the hours ahead of Alexander’s release, both in Israel and in Tenafly. His impending release was announced over the weekend and came as a surprise.