Last Living American Hostage Released By Hamas Handed Over To Israel (Video)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent, Worthy News
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, has been released and safely handed to Israeli forces, several sources confirmed.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it “facilitated the safe transfer of a hostage from Gaza to Israeli authorities”.
Footage seen by Worthy News also showed the hostage accompanied by a Red Cross representative and a masked Hamas gunman.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said he had reached its facility near the border community of Re’im in southern Israel.
An IDF statement said “Alexander will undergo an initial physical and mental checkup” and be “reunited” with his family after he was escorted out of Gaza by Israeli troops.
His father, Adi Alexander, was taken by an Israeli air force helicopter to Re’im shortly after arriving in the country from the United States, the Israeli military said.
His mother arrived at the Re’im base earlier Monday, Worthy News learned.
In Israel, a large crowd watched the developments on a large television screen attached to a banner, “Welcome home, Edan.”
After he safely arrived, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited Alexander’s release to Israeli military pressure and “political pressure” from U.S. President Donald J. Trump.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said:
“This is a very emotional moment – Edan Alexander has come home. We embrace him, and we embrace his family. This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the political pressure exerted by President Trump. This is a winning combination.”
The Israeli prime minister added that he had spoken with Trump, who reaffirmed his commitment to Israel and pledged to work “in close cooperation” to release the remaining hostages “and defeat” Hamas.
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