(NewsNation) — The emotional reunion of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander with his family has sparked hope for remaining hostages still held in Gaza.
It’s believed 20 are still alive and held by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a renewed effort to bring them home, meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Israel ambassador Mike Huckabee to talk about hostage negotiations.
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Netanyahu is planning to send a team of negotiators to Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday to continue discussions aimed at freeing more hostages.
That overlaps with President Donald Trump’s trip through the Middle East and his scheduled stop in Qatar‘s capital city.
Edan Alexander: Hamas releases Israeli-American hostage
Hamas released Alexander on Monday as a gesture of good faith toward the U.S. amid renewed ceasefire negotiations. Alexander, the last remaining American-Israeli hostage in Gaza, was held captive in the strip for more than 19 months.
Like other male soldiers held in Gaza, was not included among hostages released during a ceasefire earlier this year. Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in January and February in return for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
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Witkoff says he got the chance to personally welcome Alexander home, and Netanyahu spoke to both Alexander and Witkoff over the phone following his homecoming.
Netanyahu said Israel’s focus is now on getting Hamas to release the remaining hostages — but has warned that Wednesday’s negotiations won’t happen under a ceasefire.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
