Hamas frees last living US citizen held in Gaza in what Trump calls a ‘good faith step’

theguardian.comPublished: 5/12/2025

Summary

Hamas has freed Edan Alexander, the last US hostage held in Gaza, marking a hopeful step towards an end to the conflict. Trump praised the move as "good faith" while Netanyahu credited Israeli forces. However, Israel's far-right allies remain critical of Netanyahu, with some calling for continued fighting despite Trump's seeming support for Palestinian departure from Gaza. The release comes amid public backlash and demands for more action, with one mother urging a political breakthrough to rescue all hostages. Meanwhile, the gap in Trump's itinerary suggests he prioritizes other crises over Gaza.