Hamas Releases American Hostage After 583 Days of Terrorist Captivity

@OliLondonTV

American hostage Edan Alexander has been handed over to the Red Cross, to be transported to Israel after the Trump Administration mediated his release.

It is the first and only time the Red Cross have seen the 21 year old in his 583 days in captivity.

Fox News:

Hamas released the last living American hostage Monday, after he spent more than 580 days in captivity inside the Gaza Strip.

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was received by a specialized Israel Defense Forces unit and was brought to an initial reception facility in Re'im, where he will undergo preliminary medical and psychological evaluation by IDF Medical Corps personnel, an Israeli official told Fox News.

"This is a very emotional moment -- Edan Alexander has returned home. We embrace him, and we embrace his family," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. "This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. That combination is a winning formula."

President Donald Trump, following Alexander's release, wrote on Truth Social "Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!"

"The Al-Qassam Brigades have just released the Israeli soldier holding American citizenship, Edan Alexander, following communications with the U.S. administration," Hamas said in a statement. "This comes as part of the mediators' efforts to reach a ceasefire, open the border crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip."

His family cheered his release. Well-wishers cheered on the convoy delivering him out of terrorist imprisonment.

Aviva Klompas @AvivaKlompas

Statement from the family of Edan Alexander:

"Today, on Mother's Day, we received the greatest gift imaginable--news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza.

We express our deepest gratitude to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the US administration for their tireless work to make this happen.

We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop. We hope our son's release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families. No hostage should be left behind."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Trump "is fighting to secure the release of every American detained abroad" and "We won't stop until this conflict is over and all our hostages are home." As news spread of his release, a crowd that gathered in Alexander's hometown of Tenafly, N.J., erupted in applause.

Sue Gelsey, the interim CEO of the Kaplan JCC on the Palisades, told Fox News an estimated 3,000 had gathered in downtown Tenafly, some arriving as early as 5 a.m.

Trump, who is slated to depart Washington, D.C., on Monday for visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, said prior to Alexander’s release that it was "great news."

There are still 59 hostages being held by Hamas. Reportedly, the Red Cross hasn't seen any of them.

posted by Ace at 02:30 PM

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