Hamas Reports Uncertainty Over Fate of US-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander

Hamas's armed wing announced it does not know the fate of Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli hostage believed to be the last American held alive in Gaza, after the body of his guard was found following an Israeli airstrike. Hamas reported losing contact with the group holding Alexander due to ongoing Israeli military operations, and stated that the lives of remaining hostages are in jeopardy because of the continued bombings. Alexander, abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, had recently appeared in a video released by Hamas criticizing the Israeli government, though it is unclear when the footage was recorded. Despite Alexander's inclusion in recent ceasefire and hostage release proposals from both Israel and the US, Hamas has rejected these offers. The situation underscores the chaos and risks facing the remaining hostages as the conflict and Israeli strikes intensify. Out of the 251 hostages taken on October 7, 58 remain in captivity, with the Israeli military reporting that 34 are believed to be dead.