Hamas has released 21-year-old Israeli American Edan Alexander from captivity, more than 580 days after the Israeli soldier was taken prisoner during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Alexander reunited with his family in Israel Monday after the Trump administration secured his release in direct talks with Hamas. The deal was brokered by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, sidelining Israeli negotiators who’ve refused to engage directly with Hamas over the remaining 21 captives still believed to be alive in Gaza. A Hamas official called Alexander’s release a goodwill gesture aimed at securing a new ceasefire with Israel ahead of Trump’s trip to the Mideast.