Israeli-American Edan Alexander hugs his parents after 19 months in Hamas custody.
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00:00Last American hostage, tortured and finally hugging his family.
00:08Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander, who was released by the Gaza-based Hamas militant
00:13group on May 12, 2025, reunited with his family in Israel after being held in Gaza for over 19
00:19months. Israeli strikes soon resumed in the region after Alexander was securely transferred.
00:24The 21-year-old had been serving in the Israeli military on the Gaza border when he was captured
00:29by Hamas militants during their attack on 7 October 2023. Born in Tel Aviv, Edan grew up
00:34in Tenerife, New Jersey. After graduating high school, he moved to Israel in 2022 and joined
00:40the military. In November 2024, Hamas released a video. It showed Edan tearful and pleading
00:46for help. Edan was not included in earlier hostage-release deals during ceasefires. His
00:51physical and emotional state after release was described as fragile. According to Israeli
00:56reports, Edan declined a personal meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu following his release.
01:01Edan's freedom was the result of negotiations involving the US, Egypt, Qatar and Hamas.
01:06According to statements from Qatar and Egypt, the release was seen as a hopeful sign.
01:11Hamas claimed it released Edan as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump, who arrived
01:16in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 13th May. The move sparked criticism. Families of others' hostages
01:22questioned why those with foreign citizenship seemed to be prioritised. Despite hopes for
01:27more releases, fighting resumed almost immediately. Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza shortly after Edan
01:33was safely transferred. Airstrikes reportedly killed several people, including women and children
01:38who were sheltering in schools in Khan, Yunus and Gaza City. Netanyahu's office later confirmed
01:43that Israel had not made any ceasefire commitments. About 1200 people were killed and 251 taken
01:49hostage in the October 7 attack. As of now, 58 hostages remain. Around 23 of them are believed
01:56to be alive. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel's military operations have killed
02:01more than 52,800 people in Gaza.