The Red Cross is on its way to a designated handover point in Khan Younis to collect Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, an Israeli official confirmed to BBC.
Hamas has stated that it has formally handed over Alexander to the Red Cross, marking a significant development in ongoing hostage negotiations.
The Red Cross is on its way to a designated handover point in Khan Younis to collect Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, an Israeli official confirmed to BBC.
Hamas has stated that it has formally handed over Alexander to the Red Cross, marking a significant development in ongoing hostage negotiations.
Following the handover, Alexander will be transported out of Gaza and transferred into the custody of the Israeli military, BBC reported.
Alexander's release is part of broader efforts to restore calm, reopen border crossings, and resume critical aid deliveries to the blockaded region. This announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit the Middle East later this week.
“I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family,” Trump posted on his Truth Social account following the announcement.
In a joint statement, Qatar and Egypt called Hamas’ agreement to free Alexander an "encouraging" step toward the warring parties returning to Gaza ceasefire talks, which have stalled since March.
Edan Alexander was among the 251 hostages taken during Hamas라이브 바카라 October 7, 2023, attack. It is believed that Hamas still holds 59 hostages, of whom only 24 are thought to be alive. Five of the hostages are American citizens, and Alexander was believed to be the only one still alive.