Hamas has handed over to the Red Cross workers the 21-year-old Edan Alexander, a hostage with American and Israeli citizenship who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023. The release took place north of the city of Khan Yunis , in the southern Gaza Strip. Edan Alexander is the first living male soldier of the IDF to be freed . The first photo of the American hostage, taken by al Jazeera and broadcast by Israeli TV, shows the young man in good condition. The Qatari broadcaster reported that "he is healthy, but needed help to walk when he was handed over to the Red Cross ."

The release was announced by Hamas : "We confirm that serious and responsible negotiations will bring concrete results in the release of the (kidnapped) prisoners . We confirm the movement's willingness to immediately start negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement for a lasting ceasefire and call on the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end the war."

Meanwhile, US Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Hostage Coordinator Gal Hirsch arrived by helicopter at the Israeli military facility in Reem where the IDF will take Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after his release.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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