American Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander Freed From Hamas Captivity

Latest Developments

• American Released: American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was freed on May 12 after spending 584 days in captivity following his abduction by Hamas during the Iran-backed terrorist organization’s atrocities on October 7, 2023. The 21-year-old IDF soldier, believed to have been the last living American citizen held hostage in Gaza, was handed over to a Red Cross delegation by Hamas before being transferred to Israeli forces and returned to Israel. To facilitate a safe transfer, the IDF reportedly paused airstrikes and artillery barrages against Hamas positions to establish a secure corridor in Gaza.
• United States, Israel React: U.S. President Donald Trump hailed Alexander’s release as “monumental news,” praising both Egypt and Qatar for mediating the negotiations with Hamas to secure his release. Israeli media reported on May 12 that Alexander and his family may be dispatched to Doha to meet with Trump during his trip to the Middle East this week. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Alexander’s return, crediting Israel’s “military pressure and the political pressure exerted” by the American president. “Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted that Israel remains “committed to acting in every way until all the abductees, our brothers and sisters, both living and dead, return to their homeland.”
• Hostages Remain, Including Bodies of Americans: Following Alexander’s release, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including at least 20 believed to still be alive. Hamas also continues to hold the bodies of four Americans murdered during Hamas’s October 7 atrocities. White House envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly assured the families of the remaining hostages that efforts are ongoing to secure their full return, while the IDF stated following Alexander’s return that it will “continue to act with all the tools at [its] disposal to return” the remaining captives held by Hamas.

FDD Expert Response:

“Great credit to President Trump, his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler for getting Edan Alexander back to his family. But let’s be clear: Qatar bankrolled Hamas and October 7 and never did what it could to get the hostages back. Forcing Edan to visit Doha, as some reports have suggested, would be a disgrace. The regime in Qatar that helped fund and prolong his captivity must not be rewarded with a photo-op. And Israel’s goal — ridding Gaza of Hamas — must still be fulfilled.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“Decision makers in Jerusalem should be concerned with Hamas’s calculated attempt to exploit diplomatic optics by releasing American Israeli national Edan Alexander without apparent preconditions. This move appears designed to appeal directly to the Trump administration, portraying Hamas as a rational actor willing to make unilateral gestures. By doing so, Hamas may be seeking to fracture U.S.-Israeli alignment, influence American public opinion, and increase pressure on Israel to approve a ceasefire that will keep the Islamist group in power.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Trump’s rightful priority is to bring Americans home. Today, he was able to successfully negotiate the release of another U.S. citizen, Edan Alexander. Trump’s success in bringing Edan home while over 20 other Israelis are living in Hamas dungeons, with no indication of another imminent hostage deal, is a painful reality for the Jewish state to confront.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘We Felt Neither Dead Nor Alive’: Hamas Releases Propaganda Video of Two Israeli Hostages,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Israel Will Defeat Hamas’: IDF Eliminates Two Senior Terror Officials,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel steps up ground ops in Gaza, threatens Hamas it will take more areas,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Israel Threatens to Extend IDF Control in Gaza if Hostages Not Released,” FDD Flash Brief