Hamas, the governing group in Gaza, Palestine, has released an American hostage named Abigail Edan Alexander who was under their custody. The Israelis have confirmed that Alexander has been handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas. This is the first time Hamas has released a hostage since the Israelis violated the ceasefire agreement established on January 19 between Hamas and Israel, and resumed attacks on Gaza.
The 21-year-old Alexander, released by Hamas, is a citizen of both the United States and Israel, born in New Jersey, USA. He is associated with the Israeli army, which is carrying out genocide against Muslims in Gaza. Alexander was the only American citizen among the hostages currently held by Hamas. Hamas decided to release Alexander following discussions between the group and the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Hamas has decided to release an American hostage at a time when US President Donald Trump is set to embark on a trip to some Middle Eastern countries. Hamas says the release is a gesture of cooperation towards Trump. Additionally, Hamas states that this decision is aimed at supporting ongoing discussions to bring a sustainable end to the Israeli army’s genocide and to provide food and humanitarian aid to the 2.3 million people suffering in Gaza.
On May 12, at noon, the Israelis temporarily halted their attacks on Gaza. Israeli terrorist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were paused to facilitate the safe transfer of Alexander to the Israelis. Netanyahu has stated that despite releasing the hostage, they will not stop retaliating and will intensify their attacks on Gaza. Israeli National Security Minister Benny Gantz has also said that the war against Hamas cannot be stopped and that no aid supplies should be allowed into Gaza.
Qatar and Egypt have welcomed Hamas’s decision to release Alexander. Both countries have described Hamas’s release of Alexander as an encouragement to proceed with new discussions on stopping the exchange of attacks. Israel has announced that an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar on May 15 to discuss a new proposal for releasing more hostages. Unable to tolerate the Israeli aggressive attacks, Hamas took 251 251 Israelis as hostages in a jihadi attack on October 7, 2023. Some hostages have been released under a previous agreement between Hamas and Israel. Israel believes that 58 hostages are currently under Hamas’s custody.
