Hamas armed wing says fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander unknown

Hamas armed wing says fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander unknown

Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Saturday that the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander remains unknown after they found the guard who was holding him dead. This development raises concerns about Alexander’s safety, as he was reportedly being held by militants in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Hamas had communicated that they lost contact with the group of militants responsible for holding Alexander due to Israeli military action targeting their location. Edan Alexander is a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army, originally from New Jersey.

Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated, "We are trying to protect all the hostages and preserve their lives... but their lives are in danger because of the criminal bombings by the enemy's army." He reiterated Hamas's allegation that the Israeli military is responsible for the deaths of hostages in the enclave.

The Israeli government has accused Hamas of killing hostages in their custody. "The fate of the prisoner (hostage) and the rest of the captors remains unknown," Abu Ubaida added. There has been no immediate response from the Israeli army regarding this statement.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the situation later on Saturday. The release of Edan Alexander was a central point of discussion in talks last month between Hamas leaders and U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler.

In March, Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, emphasized that securing the release of Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, was a "top priority."

To date, Hamas has released 38 hostages as part of a temporary ceasefire that began on January 19. Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza in March after ceasefire negotiations stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown of talks. Israel maintains that its offensive aims to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages, while Hamas insists it will only release hostages as part of a broader peace deal and has rejected demands to cease military operations.