An American Israeli soldier held hostage for greater than 19 months within the Gaza Strip was launched Monday, Hamas stated, in a goodwill gesture towards the Trump administration that would lay the groundwork for a brand new ceasefire with Israel.
The Israeli army confirmed shortly afterward on the social media platform X that one hostage has been handed over to the Purple Cross and is on his technique to Israeli forces in Gaza.
Edan Alexander was taken from his army base in southern Israel throughout Hamas’s cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the warfare in Gaza. His launch could be the primary since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza which have killed tons of.
Israel has promised to accentuate its offensive in current days, together with by seizing the territory and displacing a lot of its inhabitants once more. Days earlier than the ceasefire ended, Israel blocked all imports from coming into the Palestinian enclave, deepening a humanitarian disaster and sparking warnings concerning the danger of famine if the blockade is not lifted.
Israel says the steps are supposed to strain Hamas to simply accept a ceasefire settlement on Israel’s phrases.
Israel says 59 hostages, together with Alexander, had remained in captivity, with about 24 of them stated to be alive. Most of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas-led militants within the 2023 assault have been freed in ceasefire offers.
Tv footage confirmed Alexander’s mom, Yael Alexander, arriving on the Reim army base in southern Israel, the place her son was anticipated to be taken first.
Alexander’s grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, stated she had barely been capable of sleep and had baked Edan’s favorite meals, a few of which she despatched to the army base.
WATCH | Israel approves Gaza plan:
Israel approves plan to grab Gaza indefinitely
Israel has authorised a plan to accentuate army operations towards Hamas by seizing Gaza, establishing new bases and staying for an unspecified period of time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the inhabitants of Gaza shall be moved to the south.
A earlier model of this video contained the inaccurate variety of hostages.
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