President Donald Trump shared a hopeful update on Monday, confirming that Edan Alexander – an American hostage previously thought to be dead – was set to be released by Hamas, as the terrorist organization claimed hours earlier.
"Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!" Trump posted on Truth Social. The post quickly gained attention with 15 re-truths and 71 likes.
Hamas officially announced on Monday that Israeli hostage Edan Alexander will be released. Military sources confirmed that "the IDF is prepared for his transfer." Alexander is expected to first arrive at the Re'im base and will then be taken to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for further medical evaluation and treatment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was going to meet Alexander at the hospital after he rejoins his family.
Video: The Alexander family traveling to Israel to meet the Edan Alexander / Credit: Courtesy
The official statement by the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, was released on his Telegram channel following a string of overnight reports in Arab media that Alexander would be released at 12:00 p.m. Monday. A Saudi outlet reported that the handover to the Red Cross would be conducted without a large-scale propaganda event, unlike previous hostage releases.
Meanwhile, US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is expected arrived in Israel to explore the possibility of expanding the current release deal, potentially paving the way for the release of additional hostages. A senior Hamas figure told the Associated Press that Hamas was advised "to give President Trump a gift, and he will give them a bigger one in return." An Egyptian official noted that Hamas had received assurances through Egyptian and Qatari mediators that Alexander's release "puts all issues on the table," including a potential end to the war.
