Trump announced in his remarks from the White House that American Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. hostage taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, will be released today from Gaza.
“I’m very happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who, until recently, most thought was no longer living, thought was dead, is going to be released in about two hours actually, and he’s going to be released before the eyes of Steve Witkoff, who’s done a fantastic job,” Trump said, referring to the administration’s key hostage negotiator.
Trump, who’s heading to the Middle East on his first foreign trip of his second term today, said Alexander would be released in “about two hours” and then said “or sometime today.”
“They thought he was dead just a short while ago,” the president continued. “His parents are so happy, they’re so happy.”
“As you know, Edan is the only American citizen captured and held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023, and he’s coming home to his parents, which is really great news,” Trump said.
The U.S. special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, posted a photo on X last night from aboard a plane with Alexander’s mother heading to the region to be reunited with her son.