Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander returned to Israel this evening after being released by Hamas.

The 21-year-old, who was believed to be the last living American hostage in Gaza, was serving in an elite infantry unit on the border when he was captured during the 7 October attacks.

Of the 251 hostages taken, 57 people are still held in Gaza - up to 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.

The release comes a day before US President Donald Trump visits the Middle East.

Hamas has described the decision to release Alexander as a goodwill gesture ahead of that visit, as well as intending to facilitate a deal that allows more aid to enter the country.

Gazans have called for an end to Israel's two-month long blockade on the entry of food, medication, and other humanitarian supplies into the Strip.

A new report today from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) says the entire population of Gaza - some 2.1 million people - is at critical risk of famine.

We're ending our live coverage but you can follow the latest developments in our news stories:

• Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander released by Hamas in Gaza
• Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage as part of efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire
• Entire Gaza population at critical risk of famine, UN-backed assessment says

Edan Alexander was reunited with his family this evening after he was released by Hamas.

The IDF soldier had been captured by Hamas during the 7 October attacks, and he was warmly welcomed back by his family at a military base.

Image source, IDF

We're just now seeing the first images of freed American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.

Here's how it looked in pictures shared by the Israel Defense Forces, as the 21-year-old embraced his parents after 584 days apart.

Image source, IDF

Caroline Hawley
Diplomatic correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

With no food allowed into Gaza for more than two months, the UN says that prices have risen to astronomical levels, beyond the reach of most families.

Nearly half a million people - one in five of the population - now faces catastrophic hunger, according to the UN-backed network which monitors global food crises.

There’s been a significant deterioration, it says, since its last assessment in October.

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Children’s Fund are both calling for urgent action.

The director of WFP, Cindy McCain, says families are starving while the food they need – including life-saving nutrition treatments - is sitting at the border.

The head of the UN Children’s Fund said the risk of famine doesn’t arrive suddenly, but unfolds when access to food is blocked and health systems decimated.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has shared footage of Edan Alexander's mother, Yael, speaking on the phone with her son following his release.

In the video you can hear her say "oh my God, Edan!" as she takes the phone.

"They just released a photo of you, you look unbelievable, wow. You look beautiful," she says.

"I love you and I'm going to see you very soon."

Image source, EPA

Israeli President Isaac Herzog watched the return of Edan Alexander from Germany, where he is on a visit to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany.

Alongside the country's newly-installed Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Herzog says the pair "watched together, with great emotion, as Edan Alexander emerged from darkness into light".

"We pray and hope for 58 more moments like this," he says in a social media post after sending his best wishes to Alexander's family.

Image source, Getty Images

The Red Cross, which assisted in today's transfer of Edan Alexander, says it is "relieved that one more family has been united today".

And, in a press release, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric calls for the "unconditional release of all hostages" after "600 days of horrific captivity".

In order to facilitate this, the ICRC says "we urgently need political will to save lives and reinstate the ceasefire".

Israel has blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since the start of March, and the ICRC calls the "ongoing humanitarian crisis" in the strip "catastrophic".

Image source, EPA

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says he hopes the "long-overdue" release of Edan Alexander "marks the beginning of the end to this terrible war".

"I am relieved that American Edan Alexander finally gets to come home," he says in a post on X.

"Hamas alone is responsible for the continued death and suffering. We demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages," he adds.

This follows a statement from US President Donald Trump earlier today, during which he said Alexander's release was "really great news".

Image source, Getty Images

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just now called the return of hostage Edan Alexander a "very moving moment" - and thanks Donald Trump for his support.

In a translated address, Netanyahu says that Alexander's release was achieved "thanks to our military pressure and the political pressure exerted by President Trump".

Netanyahu goes on to say that he has received assurances from the US president today that he is "committed to Israel" and keen to work "in close cooperation" to release the remaining hostages and defeat Hamas.

Edan Alexander has arrived at the "initial reception point" in southern Israel, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) says.

It adds he will undergo an initial medical assessment and be reunited with his family.

An Israeli official says Edan Alexander has already spoken to his mother on the phone.

They add that his father is currently flying to Re'im, where it's expected Alexander will receive initial medical and psychological care.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomes the release of Edan Alexander, his spokesperson says.

In a statement, they say Guterres is "profoundly relieved" that that Alexander has been freed and is now returning to his loved ones "after this harrowing ordeal".

He also renews his "urgent call for an immediate permanent ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages", and "commends the sustained efforts of the mediators".

US President Donald Trump has sent his "congratulations" to Edan Alexander's "wonderful parents, family, and friends" in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Alexander's return to Israel is currently under way, according to the Red Cross and the Israeli military.

Release speaks volumes about new regional pressures in Middle Eastpublished at 17:59 British Summer Time 12 May

17:59 BST 12 May

Lucy Williamson
Middle East correspondent, reporting from Jerusalem

Edan Alexander was handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross without public fanfare – no live cameras this time, or stage-managed ceremony.

But the release of this single Israeli-American soldier speaks volumes about the new pressures playing across the Middle East.

Hamas, under growing strain from Israel’s two-month blockade of humanitarian aid, is gambling on American goodwill to help push Israel into fresh negotiations on ending the war.

After speaking to US President Donald Trump today, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending a delegation to talks in Qatar, but insists that fighting in Gaza would continue.

Trump is due to arrive in the Gulf tomorrow for a tour focused heavily on trade deals. His government has shown it's prepared to act privately, without coordination with Israel, in negotiating for American interests in the Middle East.

The release of Edan Alexander, secured through direct talks between Hamas and US officials, is evidence of that - and points to a new kind of American leverage and power.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says Edan Alexander has crossed into Israeli territory with members of its military.

He's on his way to an "initial reception point" in southern Israel where he will be reunited with his family, it adds.

We're just received these pictures of Edan Alexander's extended family watching his release from their home in Tel Aviv.

His mother arrived in Israel earlier today on a flight from the US, but reports in Israeli media say she has been taken to the airbase where he is due to be released for reunification.

Image source, Bring Them Home Now / Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Image source, Bring Them Home Now / Hostages and Missing Families Forum

More now from that statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

It says the hostage, which it has not named, will "undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family".

"The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his way home to the State of Israel," it adds.

The IDF has also requested people "respect the privacy of the returning hostage and his family".

The Israel Defense Forces says a hostage has been transferred to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip and is on his way back to Israeli territory.

We're still waiting for word on the transfer of Eden Alexander to the Israeli military. Around half an hour ago, the Israel Defense Forces said he was with the Red Cross on his way to meet forces in the Gaza Strip.

As a reminder, he will then be taken to the nearby Re'im airbase in southern Israel for an initial assessment.

After being reunited with his family at the base, we expect Alexander to be airlifted to hospital for further tests and any treatment he needs.

Stick with us here and we'll bring you updates as they happen, and you can follow along by pressing watch live at the top of the page.

A crowd has gathered to watch a television live stream following Edan Alexander's release, in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv.

People can be seen waving flags and signs calling for him to be brought home.

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA