Sun May 11 20:27:13 UTC 2025: ## Hamas to Release Last American Hostage in Gaza

**JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY, May 12, 2025** – Hamas announced Sunday that it will release Edan Alexander, the last remaining American hostage held in Gaza, as part of ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire. The announcement, made just before U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming Middle East visit (excluding Israel), offers a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict. While no timeframe for the release was given, Hamas stated it’s ready for “intensive negotiations” for a long-term truce, encompassing prisoner exchanges and a transfer of Gaza’s power to an independent body.

The news follows months of U.S. engagement with Hamas, prompting anger from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier, was captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that ignited the 19-month-old war. His family has repeatedly appealed for his release, with his mother expressing relief at previous signs of life.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. Israeli airstrikes overnight killed 15 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local officials. Israel maintains that it targets only militants, while the UN and aid groups report severe shortages of food, medicine, and water, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade. Residents describe relying on polluted water sources, leading to widespread illness. COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing Palestinian civilian affairs, counters that sufficient aid was delivered during a previous ceasefire.

In a separate development, Israel announced the recovery of the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Tzvi Feldman, a soldier missing since a 1982 battle in Lebanon. His remains were reportedly found in Syria, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. This discovery offers closure for Feldman’s family and highlights the enduring impact of past conflicts. The war in Gaza continues to cause immense suffering, with over 52,800 Palestinians killed according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and around 59 hostages still held in Gaza. The international community remains deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian emergency.

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