Gaza: Palestinian militant organization Hamas has announced the release of Aden Alexander, the last surviving American-Israeli citizen held hostage in Gaza. The move comes as part of efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war and establish a ceasefire in Gaza. US President Donald Trump expressed happiness over the release and called it his diplomatic victory. Let us take a detailed look at the facts of this development and Trump's response.
Release of Aden Alexander: Background
Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Among them was Aden Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier. After a 19-month-long conflict, Hamas announced on Sunday, 11 May 2025, that it would release Alexander. According to a senior Hamas official, the release is part of efforts to restore food supplies to Gaza, reopen border checkpoints and establish a ceasefire.
The process of Alexander's release was mediated by Qatar and Egypt. However, Hamas did not clarify when the release would be completed. The Israeli military confirmed that Alexander would soon be brought back to his family.
Trump's response: Diplomacy or propaganda?
After the news of the release, Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "I am pleased to report that Aidan Alexander, an American-Israeli citizen who had been a hostage since October 2023, is returning to his family. This is the result of mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt." Trump called it an important step towards ending the war.
Trump also claimed that his stern warnings and diplomatic pressure forced Hamas to take this step. In March 2025, Trump issued a "final warning" to Hamas, saying, "Release all hostages now or you're done for." The statement sparked global debate as it was a departure from US policy that avoided direct negotiations with terrorist organizations.
Hamas' stance and Gaza situation
Hamas described the release as a humanitarian move. The organization said the Israeli blockade of Gaza had worsened starvation and a humanitarian crisis. According to local health officials, more than 52,800 Palestinians have died in the 19-month war, and Gaza's 2.3 million population is dependent on aid.
Hamas also hoped that a permanent ceasefire could be possible with the intervention of the Trump administration. However, Israeli attacks still continue. On May 11, air strikes in Gaza killed 15 people, mostly women and children.
Israeli response
The Israeli military welcomed Alexander's release, but accused Hamas of still holding 24 other live hostages and 35 bodies in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We will not stop until all the hostages are returned." Israel has said it will continue military operations in Gaza despite the ceasefire.
Diplomatic impact
The release could be a turning point in the Israel-Hamas war. Several hostage releases have been achieved before through mediation by Qatar and Egypt, such as the release of three Israeli women in January 2025. The Trump administration played an active role in the process, which some analysts considered a diplomatic victory, while others called it a propaganda piece.
Trump's tough rhetoric also led to the first direct talks between the US and Hamas, unprecedented since Hamas was declared a terrorist organization in 1997. However, the ceasefire in Gaza is still fragile, and tensions remain between the two sides.
Conclusion
The release of Aidan Alexander has brought a new hope in the Israel-Hamas conflict, but lasting peace in Gaza is still a far cry. Trump's response brought the incident into global headlines, but experts believe the success of the ceasefire will depend on the cooperation of both sides. Meanwhile, the issue of Gaza's humanitarian situation and the release of hostages remains a challenge for the global community.
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