Hamas on Monday released Edan Alexander, the last known US hostage in the Gaza Strip, as part of a deal with the US aimed at broadening efforts to reach a ceasefire, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Hamasreleased US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who has been held in Gaza since October 2023, on Monday afternoon.
The handover took place in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Stripamid direct talksbetween Hamas and the United Statesaimed at reaching aceasefirein Gaza.
Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuthanked US PresidentDonald Trumpon Monday for helping to secure Alexander's release.
A statement from Netanyahu's office said that in a phone call, he "thanked President Trump for his assistance in the release of (Israelimilitary) soldier Edan Alexander".
Alexander was snatched from his military base in southernIsraelduring Hamas's cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza.
His release is the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, when it unleashed fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.
Some fifty-eighthostagesremain in captivity, about 24 who are said to be alive and the remaining are deceased.
Many of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were freed in ceasefire deals.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
Originally published on France24
