The Al-Qassam brigades, the armed branch of the Islamist movement Hamas, announced Monday that it had released the Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander which was retained in the Gaza Strip since the bloody attacks of October 7, 2023.
“The al-Qassam brigades have just released the American Zionist and citizen Edan Alexander, following contacts with the American administration, in the context of the efforts made by the mediators to reach a cease-fire,” said the Palestinian Islamist movement in a statement.
Red to the Red Cross
A source close to Hamas told AFP that Eden Alexander had been given to the Red Cross. It was later announced in the day by the Israeli army back on the national territory.
In its press release, Hamas repeats being ready to “immediately engage in negotiations aimed at reaching a complete agreement for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of the army (Israeli), the lifting of the blockade, an exchange of prisoners, as well as the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip”.
Call to Trump
“We call on President Trump’s administration to continue his efforts to end the brutal war waged by the Netanyahu war criminal against children, women and unarmed civilians in Gaza,” he added.
Edan Alexander was the only living hostage with American nationality still retained in Gaza.
Of the 251 people kidnapped in Israel during the bloody attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, 57 are still retained in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the Israeli army.
Hamas also retains the body of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous war in Gaza in 2014.
