Quotes
Trump is rescuing him. Who will rescue Gali and Ziv?”
Maccabit Mayer, the aunt of sibling hostages Gali and Ziv Berman, told Israeli Army Radio
They are both following their own interests without consulting each other,
he told Al JazeeraIsrael is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made,
Witkoff stated, ... as per the report, which quoted insiders who attended the meeting
We express our deepest gratitude to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and the US administration for their tireless work to make this happen,
stated Alexander's familyIt was difficult to watch, but we were glad to see him,
his mother told news agency APNo hostage should be left behind.”
They also urged Israel’s government to negotiate the release of the remaining captives, saying
We live in agony each day that passes without our son,
his parents wrote in a guest essay for The New York Times in September after the discovery of the body of another hostage, the Israeli American hostage Hersh Goldberg-PolinWe are picking him up probably tomorrow,
Witkoff said
Today, on Mother’s Day, we received the greatest gift imaginable—news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza,
it said
This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict,
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Sunday night
Witkoff will deliver the message, from Trump to Netanyahu, that this is Israel’s last chance to sign on to a bigger deal,
the person said
The expected release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander without anything in return will be possible due to the vigorous policy that we have led with the backing of President Trump, and thanks to the military pressure of IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip,
Netanyahu’s office said in its statement,It’s a matter of what becomes our immediate business, to protect our citizens,
he said, while calling suggestions thatIf no deal is reached to release additional hostages under the Witkoff framework before Trump leaves the region — we will launch the intensified operation,
the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issuesOn this Mother’s Day, it is my honor to travel with Edan Alexander’s mom Yael for reunion of her son from Hamas,
he wrote
Al-Qassam Brigades decided to release the Zionist soldier who holds the American nationality on Monday, May 12, 2025,
military wing spokesperson Abu Obeida said in a short statement via Telegram
We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams, please don't stop,
they added
At least 10 (dead), including several women and children, as well as dozens of wounded, were transported following an Israeli airstrike on the Fatima Bint Asad school, which is home to more than 2,000 displaced people in the city of Jabalia,
Civil Defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFPOur government’s most solemn responsibility is to keep Americans safe. With that responsibility in mind, we urge you to use all diplomatic tools at your disposal, in concert with our regional allies and partners, to ensure Edan’s release and the release of the remains of the deceased American hostages as soon as possible. Every day in captivity adds to the nightmare for the hostages and their families. We must bring them home now,
the letter continued
Should this release be confirmed, the release of Edan Alexander must mark the beginning of a comprehensive agreement that will secure the freedom of all remaining hostages,
the statement read