Hamas announced on Sunday that it intends to release the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen who has been held hostage in Gaza since the group’s coordinated assault on southern Israel on October 7.
In a statement translated from Arabic, the terror organization said the potential release is part of a broader diplomatic effort aimed at securing a ceasefire. “As part of the efforts made by the brotherly mediators to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days,” the group said.
“The movement has shown a high level of positivity, and the Israeli soldier with dual American citizenship, Edan Alexander, will be released as part of the steps being taken toward a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip.”
While Hamas presented the announcement as a humanitarian gesture, many observers note it is part of a familiar pattern of using hostages as bargaining chips in negotiations over ceasefires, aid access, and political leverage.
The timeline for Alexander’s possible release remains unclear.
Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, moved to Israel at age 18 to volunteer for military service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He served in the Golani Brigade and lived at Kibbutz Hazor and with family in Tel Aviv.
On October 7, despite being off duty and not required to remain on base for the weekend, Alexander chose to stay to support his unit—demonstrating his strong sense of responsibility and commitment to his fellow soldiers.
He was abducted that morning in the massive cross-border assault launched by Hamas, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
His family and advocacy groups have continued pressing for his release, and U.S. officials have been involved in efforts to bring American hostages home.
While this announcement may offer a glimmer of hope, skepticism remains over Hamas’s true intentions and whether a comprehensive ceasefire will be achieved.