How many hostages does Hamas still have?
An Israeli-American freed after being held hostage by Hamas has emotionally reunited with his family after 19 months.
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Edan Alexander, 21, is thought to be the last US citizen held by the Palestinian military group who captured more than 200 hostages as part of the October 7, 2023, attack.
Soldier Mr Alexander was only 19 when he was taken from his base on the Gazan border in southern Israel.
He rejoined his family on Monday after being released by Hamas to the Israeli military via the half-way house of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Read also: Hamas to release last living American hostage Edan Alexander as part of ceasefire efforts
His mother Yael Alexander was heard saying: "How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried."
The release is thought to have been a goodwill gesture towards Donald Trump, who has been in the Middle East this week. The president’s administration had applied pressure for the release of Mr Alexander.
Hamas said in a statement that it is ready to begin negotiations to reach “a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of the occupation army, the end of the siege, a prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip”.
The statement added: "We urge the Trump administration to continue its efforts to end this brutal war waged by the war criminal [Israeli president Benjamin] Netanyahu against children, women, and defenceless civilians in the Gaza Strip."
The transfer of Mr Alexander was during a brief pause in fighting on Monday but the war soon resumed with Israeli strikes commencing.
This is how the hostage situation is currently looking.
How many hostages does Hamas still have?
The October 2023 assault saw 1,200 people killed while the war that followed has led to the deaths of more than 52,000 Palestinians.
Hamas took 251 hostages during the October 7 attack and, according to the BBC, 58 of those remain in the Gaza enclave. Mr Alexander was thought to be the final US citizen among them.
Of these, however, the figure of those who are still alive could be much lower with Reuters stating that around 24 hostages could still be alive.
The Alexander family said in a statement: “We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop.”