Hundreds gathered at Hostages Square to watch a live feed of the release of Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza The 21-year-old was freed by Hamas and reunited with his family on Monday ending an 18-month ordeal that began with the militant group in the October 7 attack. His release came after several days of indirect negotiations between Hamas and the United States bypassing Israel as part of broader efforts to reach a ceasefire and restore humanitarian aid to Gaza.