Israel prepares for release of hostage Edan Alexander in coming two days

Hamas announced this evening (Sunday) the planned release of kidnapped soldier Edan Alexander as part of "steps Hamas is taking in favor of a ceasefire, the opening of crossings, and the entry of humanitarian aid," according to the terror organization’s statement.

Adam Boehler, the White House envoy for hostage affairs, said that efforts are also being made to retrieve the bodies of four American hostages, according to Reuters.

Two senior Hamas officials told the Saudi Al-Sharq news channel that progress has been made regarding the entry of humanitarian aid, a two-phase hostage deal, and a ceasefire. The talks with the U.S. involved a 70-day ceasefire, which could be extended in exchange for the release of 10 living Israeli hostages, alongside American guarantees that Israel would not resume fighting.

According to Israeli assessments, Hamas is interested in releasing hostage Edan Alexander as a goodwill gesture to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to begin his Middle East visit this week. This was first reported this evening by KAN correspondent Gili Cohen. Alexander, who holds American citizenship, is expected to be released in exchange for the renewal of food deliveries into the Gaza Strip.

In a discussion held today by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, he stated that there is a high likelihood Hamas will indeed release Alexander as a gesture, since he is an American citizen – “We welcome this.” According to attendees, the prime minister sounded very optimistic that this would happen.

Israel believes that the pressure being applied to the mediators and Hamas will lead to progress in hostage release talks, but it may not necessarily result in a comprehensive agreement. An Israeli official estimated that this could be an attempt to pressure Israel into agreeing to a ceasefire, though it is unclear whether that would lead to the release of more hostages. Sources involved in the negotiations described intense pressure in the talks ahead of Trump’s visit to the Gulf.

On Nov. 30, 2024, Hamas released a video showing proof of life from Alexander, which was cleared for publication by his family. In the video, Edan delivered messages in Hebrew and English. He noted the number of days he had been in captivity and addressed Trump, who had just been elected to a second term, mentioning his American citizenship.

Alexander was born in Montvale, New Jersey. On Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, he was kidnapped from the IDF Kissufim outpost, where fighting was taking place against Hamas terrorists. Footage from that same Saturday already showed him being taken alive. Edan is the son of Adi and Yael and has two brothers. He immigrated to Israel about two years before his abduction, leaving his family to enlist. In Israel, he was taken in by a host family and chose to serve in a meaningful combat role.

Einav Tsangauker, mother of Matan Tsangauker, who is also being held in Gaza, said:
“My Matan is being held together with Edan Alexander in the same dark tunnel without any other hostages. If Matan is left alone in the tunnel, Netanyahu is deciding to murder my child. Instead of releasing all the hostages, he is becoming my personal angel of death. He failed to bring you back. I will not let you rot there. I will fight for you every second and every moment to get you out of this hell.”

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Omer Shahar, Gili Cohen and Suleiman Maswadeh.