The Hamas terror organization on Monday morning announced that US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander will be released on Monday, but did not disclose the time and location.
Later reports said that he will be released from Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The Trump administration is exploring the possibility that, following Alexander’s release, US special envoy Steve Witkoff will fly him and his parents to Qatar to meet President Trump, Ynet reported on Monday morning. However, such a scenario is dependent on Alexander’s condition upon his release.
On Monday afternoon, Eden’s family confirmed that Eden will fly to Qatar later this week and meet Trump.
In accordance with a US request, a hostage release ceremony will not be held before Alexander is handed over to the Red Cross, a Hamas official told AFP.
IDF forces are preparing to secure a safe passage in Gaza for Alexander’s release.
A senior Israeli source said: “We’re preparing to receive Edan Alexander sometime today. But in the meantime, we have no specific information about either the location or the time.”
“We have completed preparations for his reception in Israel according to the protocol for receiving hostages. Contact has already been made with the Red Cross, which will receive him according to the familiar procedure. Red Cross vehicles will enter the collection point, transfer him to the northern Gaza Strip, and hand him over to IDF forces. From there, he will be transferred to the Re’im base, meet his family, and be airlifted to a hospital for examinations. The full details of his handover to the Red Cross and the transfer to IDF forces have not yet been finalized. We will ensure a safe passage for his release.”
Alexander will be transferred to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv after his release.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on Monday morning saying that Israel did not agree to a ceasefire or a release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander’s release, but did agree to secure a safe passage for his release.
Witkoff arrived in Israel on Monday at noon and is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu at the Kiryah in Tel Aviv at 1 p.m. He is also slated to meet with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and other senior officials.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)