This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
EXCERPT:
DIAMOND: "Well, this is very significant news, Jessica. Edan Alexander is indeed the last living American held hostage in Gaza by Hamas. And I‘m told by a source familiar with the matter that he will be released within the next two days. It‘s not clear yet whether that will be tomorrow or Tuesday, but that is indeed the plan for him to be released. Steve Witkoff, President Trump‘s special envoy for the Middle East, who was instrumental in negotiating this, what is described as a goodwill gesture on Hamas‘ part to release Edan Alexander, Witkoff will be flying to Tel Aviv tomorrow morning, I‘m told, and he will be on hand in order to welcome Edan Alexander home and out of Hamas captivity after 19 months. Alexander is an Israeli soldier. He was taken captive by Hamas on October 7th, has been held captive by Hamas since then. A little less than a month ago, Hamas had announced that it lost contact with the Hamas militants who were guarding Alexander, raising questions about whether or not he was even alive. But this deal and this announcement by Hamas to release him now confirms that he is indeed alive, and he is now expected to be released. Now, what will follow here, according to the source that I spoke with, is immediate negotiations in order to try and secure the release of additional hostages and negotiations that could perhaps even lead ultimately to the end of the war, or at least a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”