Edan Alexander, one of the hostages who was captured by Hamas during its horrifying terror attack, has been released. The man, a US-Israeli soldier, was pictured in a photograph shared by Al Jazeera standing near a Red Cross member after being handed over to the organisation by Hamas. Alexander had been held for over 19 months in Gaza after being taken from his military post in southern Israel during Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, which set off the war in the Middle East.

His release is the first since Israel broke an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March in what it said was an effort to pressure the militant group into accepting a deal on Israel's terms. He was met with cheers and applause upon his release, as hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square to welcome him back from captivity.

Hamas said the 21-year-old had been released as a goodwill gesture towards US President Donald Trump, who is due to visit the Gulf states this week.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country's planned military campaign in Gaza will continue, including seizing the territory and displacing much of its population.

Nonetheless, Israel will reportedly send a delegation to Qatar on Thursday to discuss new proposals to free the remaining 59 hostages in Gaza - and Qatar and Egypt have praised Alexander's release as an encouraging step towards truce talks, Reuters reports.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the news 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".

Netanyahu reportedly thanked the US leader for helping to secure the hostage release during a phone call on Monday. A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office said he had "thanked President Trump for his assistance in the release of [Israeli military] soldier Edan Alexander".

Israel has said 24 of the remaining 59 hostages are believed to be alive. Days before the end of the spring ceasefire, the country blocked all imports from entering Gaza - sparking warnings about the risk of famine and escalating calls for an end to the conflict on humanitarian grounds.