Location at an overview: cheers and tears after release from Hamas-Geisel

When Edan Alexander can see his mother in captivity again after more than 580 days, he falls into her arms for a long time. The mother initially screams with joy, after all, both cry. The young soldier is free in the Gaza Strip after 19 months of Hamas -Geisellich, back in Israel – and united with his relatives. Alexander can also hug the father and siblings back into his arms, he kisses the brother and sister on his forehead. Recordings of reunion published Israel’s army and the government on the late Monday evening.

Shortly before, the Islamists had released the American-Israeli dual national from their violence. The release is considered a gesture to the USA: Hamas hopes that US President Donald Trump puts pressure on Israel’s government so that it agrees to an agreement that also provides for a permanent end to the Gaza War. On Monday, Trump opened a Middle East trip lasting several days. After today’s stop in Saudi Arabia, visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates follow – but none in Israel. It is the first major trip abroad by the US President in his second term.

Torture, handcuffs, little food

Due to Edan Alexander, there are bad months: the terrorists had brutally tortured him and blocked him in a cage, the Israeli broadcaster quoted the first statements by the 21-year-old. He also had to wear long handcuffs. According to the report, the soldier of the Israeli army was captured with other hostages in a tunnel and got little food. In November 2024, Hamas published a video of the soldier that shows him how he cries uninhibitedly.

Alexander came to a clinic for treatment after the release, where he also met other relatives. He looks pale on the published recordings. According to the broadcaster Kan, he said in a first conversation with his mother that he had to go to the beach for sunbathing. “I love you so much,” said his mother in her first phone call that the two led before reunion.

The family had traveled from the USA to receive the 21-year-old. Alexander’s parents emigrated to the United States shortly after his birth. Her eldest son later went to Israel alone to serve in the army. On October 7, 2023, the waxpost near the Gaza Strip was deported to the sealed coastal area. He is the first male soldier who has been living from the Hamas, who has been hostage since then. The release between Hamas and the USA was agreed without Israeli participation.

Hamas should be completely disarmed

On the occasion of the release, Israel’s army briefly interrupted her attacks in the Gaza Strip, but now recovered to Israeli and Palestinian reports. Israel’s government continues to plan to expand the attacks in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject an end to the war and wants to completely smash the Hamas.

However, the Israeli head of government’s office announced that they will send negotiators to Qatar on Tuesday for indirect negotiations with Hamas. The indirect conversations between Israel and Hamas conveyed by the United States, Egypt and Qatar stalled a few months ago. The main quarters between the two warring parties are still not cleared.

The Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 cited Prime Minister Netanyahu in the evening with the words that there could only be an agreement on an end to the war if Hamas was completely disarmed. The Palestinian terrorist organization has so far rejected this request that has previously been raised as a prerequisite for permanent ceasefire. Now she hopes that US President Trump will act on Netanyahu.

Thanks to Trump – and a meeting?

After his release, Edan Alexander held a table on a helicopter flight to the hospital with the inscription “Thank you, President Trump !!!” in a camera. During the week he could travel to Katar for a meeting with Trump, should he be doing well enough. This reported several Israeli media, citing Alexander’s family.

According to Israeli information, at least 20 living hostages are held in the Gaza Strip after the young man was released, and the status is unclear in three other kidnapped. In addition, the remains of 35 kidnapped people have not yet been given.

“Our lives are worth less”

With all the joy of the release of Edan Alexander, there was also criticism of the Netanyahus government, which is accused of letting other hostages down in the Gaza Strip. “It is difficult to ignore the hard message that the citizen of the state of Israel and the whole world has been transmitted today: our lives are less worth it,” said a message from the Kibbutz Nir Oz. “A hostage with an American passport is given priority, while the 58 other hostages are left behind – including 14 members of the Nir oz community, and the concern for their lot is greater than ever.”

Nir OZ was one of the scenes of the unprecedented massacre a year and a half ago. The Hamas and other Islamist terrorists killed around 1,200 people in their raid on the south of Israel on October 7, 2023 and dragged more than 250 more than hostages into the Gaza Strip. The massacre triggered the Gaza war. According to the health authority controlled by the Hamas, more than 52,800 Palestinians have so far been killed, with fighters also counting in addition to civilians.