Freed Israeli-American Hostage Home, Gaza Battle Rages On

Freed Israeli-American Hostage Returns Home, But Fighting in Gaza Continues

On Monday, May 12, an Israeli-American man named Edan Alexander, who had been held hostage by Hamas for 19 months, was finally released in Gaza. His release happened during a brief pause in the fighting, and he has now been reunited with his family in Israel. Edan, 21, was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which helped transfer him safely from Hamas to the Israeli military. Videos showed an emotional reunion—his mother cried as she hugged him, saying, “We were so worried. I love you so much.”

He also embraced his father, brother, and sister before being flown to a hospital for medical care. Officials say he appeared weak but in good spirits. Edan is the last known living American hostage held by Hamas. He had moved from New Jersey to Israel and was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured during Hamas attack in October 2023. Although the fighting paused to allow his release, it quickly resumed.

Israeli airstrikes hit parts of Gaza soon after. Reports say at least three people died in an airstrike on a shelter in Khan Younis, and one woman was killed when tank shells hit a school in northern Gaza. Hamas said it released Edan as a goodwill gesture to U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting the region this week. Trump celebrated the news on social media, and photos showed Edan holding a sign that read, “Thank you, President Trump.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the release happened thanks to pressure from Israel’s military and the support of the U.S. However, he made it clear that there will be no ceasefire, and military operations in Gaza will continue.

Some people are hopeful this release could lead to more progress. Talks involving Hamas, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar made Edan’s release possible. Now, Israel plans to send officials to Qatar to discuss the way forward in freeing the remaining 58 hostages still held in Gaza. But many families of the hostages are frustrated. Some say the government only acted because Edan was American and had international support. Others are calling for all hostages to be freed, no matter their nationality. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza is growing worse.

According to global hunger monitors, over 500,000 people are at risk of starvation, and a famine could hit by September if things don’t improve. Since the war began, over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed, and much of Gaza has been destroyed. When and Why Did the Israel-Hamas War Start? The war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas attacked Israel by firing rockets and sending fighters who killed over 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. This was a surprise and very deadly attack. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and began bombing and invading the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based.

Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya), a Palestinian Islamist group that governs the Gaza Strip, is regarded by the U.S. and Israel as a terrorist group. Their reasons for attacking Israel were due to long-term conflict over land between Israel and Palestinians, anger over Israeli actions in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, the blockade on Gaza has made life very hard for people there. As the war continues, people around the world are calling for peace and urging leaders to find a way to end the violence — and bring all the hostages home.

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