(The Center Square) – Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage held by Hamas, is close to being released, multiple outlets reported Sunday.
Talks helping to generate a release from Hamas included the administration of President Donald Trump and the leaders from Qatar and Egypt. An exact time of release is not known; Tuesday is anticipated.
The news comes 583 days since war escalated between Israel and Hamas. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian groups invaded Israeli territory for the first time since 1948. More than 1,200 were killed in the initial attack, including 31 Americans.
There were 251 taken hostage.
Earlier this spring, the number of Palestinians dead climbed above 50,000.
The release of another hostage with American or dual American citizenship would be a significant weekend triumph for the presidency of Donald Trump.
The second-term Republican has called the negotiations leading to a new trade deal with China a “total reset” despite taking significant heat in the steps leading to Sunday’s announcement.
Trump said his administration was mediator in the weekend development of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. There were explosions after the announcement, as well as affirmed commitments from the two countries.
In the past week prior to the weekend, a White House release says Trump announced a ceasefire with Houthi terrorists in Yemen that allows U.S.-flagged ships to navigate the Red Sea. The Department of State said all hostages “held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, have been rescued” and brought to America.
