Hamas Says Contact Lost with Fighters Holding Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander in Gaza

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

The armed wing of Hamas announced on Tuesday that it has lost communication with the group of fighters responsible for holding Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, who has been missing since the October 7, 2023, attacks.

According to Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, contact with the group was severed following an Israeli military strike on the location where Alexander was allegedly being held. He did not disclose the specific area within Gaza.

Alexander, a 21-year-old New Jersey native serving in the Israeli army, is believed to be the last living American hostage in Hamas captivity, according to U.S. officials. A video released later by the militant group warned Israeli families that hostages may return “in black coffins,” blaming Israeli military actions for endangering the captives’ lives.

While Hamas has previously accused Israel of causing the deaths of some hostages through military operations, it has also admitted that at least one hostage was killed by a guard acting without authorization.

There has been no immediate response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the Hamas statement. The Israeli military has continued its campaign in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire in March, stating that operations will persist until all hostages are released and Hamas is disarmed.

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff previously stated that securing Alexander’s release remains a “top priority” for the U.S. government.

Efforts to reach a new ceasefire agreement have stalled, though reports from the Tikva Forum—a group representing families of hostages—suggest that Alexander may have been among a small group slated for release if a deal had been reached.