Gaza, May 13 (V7N) — In a rare diplomatic breakthrough, Hamas has released Eden Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American who had been held hostage in Gaza for 18 months. The release took place on Monday following indirect negotiations between the United States and Hamas, conducted without any direct involvement from Israel.
According to U.S. officials, Eden Alexander was freed after months of quiet diplomacy facilitated through backchannel communications and support from regional mediators. The terms of the agreement have not been made public, but sources confirmed that no Israeli representatives took part in the discussions.
Eden was reportedly captured during the outbreak of intensified conflict between Israel and Hamas in late 2023 and had been held in an undisclosed location in Gaza ever since. His release was confirmed by both U.S. diplomatic sources and humanitarian observers in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the news, stating, “We’re grateful Eden is safe and returning to his family. The U.S. will continue to pursue every avenue to protect its citizens, no matter where they are held.”
The release is being viewed as a symbolic step toward potential humanitarian negotiations, even as broader regional tensions persist. Hamas continues to hold several other hostages, many of them dual nationals, making further diplomatic efforts likely in the coming weeks.
Though the situation in Gaza remains volatile, Eden Alexander’s release has sparked cautious optimism that limited agreements on humanitarian issues may be achievable through continued third-party engagement.
Comment: