Edan Alexander, American held hostage by Hamas, released
(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - The last living American hostage held by Hamas has been released. Israeli-American Edan Alexander has been held in Gaza since the October 7 attack.
Hamas militants handed over their last surviving hostage in Gaza: 21-year-old Edan Alexander who was raised in New Jersey.
He was serving with Israel's military when Hamas fighters abducted him in the October 7 attacks, almost two years ago.
Alexander was released to Steve Witkoff, America's Special Envoy to the Middle East.
A Hamas spokesman said they freed Alexander after several days of talks with the U.S. as part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
While in captivity, Alexander appeared in two Hamas propaganda videos as his parents, Yael and Adi, worked tirelessly for their son's release.
Last September, they spoke to CBS Mornings after six other hostages were killed.
"I'm feeling devastating, broken, I don't have words to discuss how we're all feeling," Yael expressed.
Israel says it has not committed to any ceasefire or to the release of Palestinian prisoners, but only agreed to create a safe corridor to allow Alexander to be freed.
More than 18 months of war has shattered the Gaza Strip, but it's thought the militants are still holding 58 captives, with 23 of them still alive.
U.S. officials say the bodies of four other Americans are still held in Gaza. President Trump travels to the Middle East Monday, but he is not scheduled to stop in Israel.
