DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Monday released an Israeli-American soldier who had been held hostage in Gaza for more than 19 months, offering a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration that could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel.
The Israeli military confirmed that 21-year-old Edan Alexander was turned over to the Red Cross and then to Israeli forces, and had crossed into Israeli territory.
A military helicopter carrying relatives of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander lands ahead of his scheduled release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Wearing shirts emblazoned with his name, Alexander’s extended family gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release. They chanted his name when the military said he was free. In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, hundreds of people broke out into cheers.
In Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, hundreds of supporters packed the streets, holding signs with his image and listening to speakers blasting Israeli music. As they watched the news of his release on a large screen, the crowd hugged and waved Israeli flags. Since he was taken hostage, supporters there gathered every Friday to march for the release of remaining hostages.
This is a photo gallery curated by Associated Press photo editors.
Red Cross vehicles carrying American-Israeli hostage and soldier Edan Alexander leave the Gaza Strip after he was handed over to the organization, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israelis wave flags as the convoy carrying freed Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander arrives after his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza to an army base in Reim, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, Monday, May 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Doron, in a wheelchair, arrives along with friends and relatives to Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander’s family house ahead of his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A man holds a placard of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he waits for his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israelis gather ahead to watch a live broadcast in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A woman cries as she gathers with others to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Israelis gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander to be released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
People watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander as he is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a plaza known as the hostages square in Tel Aviv, Monday, May 12, 2025. Alexander was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on his base on October 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
A person wears a necklace in support of hostages held by Hamas as residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
An Israeli-American flag flies in Huyler Park as people gather to celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
People gathered in Huyler Park celebrate the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
Residents and friends gather in Huyler Park ahead of the release of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas on Monday, May 12, 2025, in Tenafly, N.J. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
