Hamas announces release of Evan Alexander after negotiations
May 11 (UPI) -- Hamas announced Sunday that it will release the man believed to be the last living U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza. Evan Alexander, 21, a dual citizen of Israel and the United States, has been at the center of recent negotiations and confusion about his whereabouts and ultimate release by Hamas.
Hamas originally agreed to release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages in March but changed course after saying it lost contact with his captors and blamed Israeli airstrikes for attacking the area where Alexander was reportedly being held.
On Sunday, Hamas said it will release Alexander as part of negotiations toward a cease-fire in the war in Gaza. "The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations, and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to stop the war, exchange prisoners in an agreed manner and manage the Gaza Strip by an independent professional body," Khalil Al-Hayya said in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the development Sunday night on his Truth Social media platform. He said Alexander was "coming home to his family." "This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of mediators -- Qatar and Egypt -- to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones," the American president said in the post.
