Edan Alexander Handover Expected in the Next Hour Near Gaza’s Khan Younis: Reports

Edan Alexander Handover Expected in the Next Hour Near Gaza’s Khan Younis: Reports

News May 12, 2025
Edan Alexander Handover Expected in the Next Hour Near Gaza’s Khan Younis: Reports
Gaza (Quds News Network)- American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander is reportedly expected to be handed over to the Red Cross in the next hour near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Israel’s Maariv news outlet said the military has stationed a group of forces, with tanks and armoured carriers, east of Khan Younis – the expected handover site. After Red Cross officials hand Alexander over to Israeli forces, he will undergo a preliminary medical and psychological evaluation, before being flown by helicopter to a hospital in Tel Aviv, the report said. Israel’s Kan reported that the release is expected to take place near the southern city of Khan Younis. Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, announced that Hamas decided to release the American-Israeli captive on Monday. US President Donald Trump confirmed last night that Hamas will release Alexander, who was captured by the Palestinian resistance movement during his service in the Israeli occupation army. Trump announced the breakthrough in a social media post, praising the move as a “step taken in good faith” toward ending the genocide in Gaza. “I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family,” Trump wrote. “I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.” Hamas had earlier announced a breakthrough in ceasefire efforts. In recent days, the resistance movement held direct talks with the Trump administration, focusing on halting hostilities, opening border crossings, and delivering emergency aid to Gaza. As a goodwill gesture, Hamas agreed to release Edan Alexander, saying the move is part of wider efforts to secure a truce and ease humanitarian suffering in the besieged enclave. In a statement, Hamas confirmed its readiness to begin intensive negotiations for a final deal. It called for a mutual prisoner exchange and the formation of an independent, professional authority to govern Gaza. The movement says such a move would ensure long-term calm, stability, reconstruction, and an end to Israel’s blockade. This is the second time the Trump administration has engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas without involving Israel. The first instance sparked backlash from Israel and led to the removal of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler. Hamas also praised the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, describing their roles as vital during the current phase of talks. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff told the families of Israeli captives on Sunday that they want to return the captives, “but Israel is not ready to end the war.” He added, “Israel is prolonging it even though we don’t see where else we can move forward — and we need to reach an agreement.” Witkoff stressed there is a narrow window of opportunity. “We are putting pressure on all the mediators and doing everything to return the ‘kidnapped’,” he said. The families of the Israeli captives have urged the government to reach a ceasefire deal. Many support pausing the war to bring the captives home, then resuming the genocide against the people of Gaza. “First bring them back, then fight,” read signs at recent protests in Tel Aviv and occupied Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, in a post on X, said that “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind” or the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander’s release. But Israel is committing “only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan”, it said. Palestinian journalists in Gaza reported that a temporary ceasefire will begin at 12:00 local time and will end once the captive is released. Netanyahu’s office also claimed that Alexander’s release is being made possible due to Israel’s “vigorous policy” in Gaza as well as its “military pressure”. “We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting,” it added. As Hamas prepares to release Alexander, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, has urged the occupation government to seize the next 24 hours and pursue a broader deal to free all remaining captives. “The expected release of Edan shows that a determined leader is committed to his citizens,” the forum wrote, in an apparent reference to Trump. Addressing Netanyahu, the group said: “Prime Minister, what about your commitment to the 58 remaining hostages? Will you choose to make history, bring everyone home, and allow Israeli society to heal? Or will you continue with delays and evasion of responsibility, at the cost of the collapse of the Israeli ethos, severe harm to the hostages, and the prevention of the ability to bring back the fallen?” “Prime Minister, this is the time to be a leader,” the statement added. “Make the historic, right decision, and end the nightmare that Israeli citizens have been living for 584 days.”

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