Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander has returned to Israeli territory after 584 days in Hamas captivity. Alexander crossed the border and arrived at an initial reception point in southern Israel where his mother, Yael Alexander, was waiting alongside Trump's envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Buehler, according to Israel's Channel 14.

The release of the former conscript comes as US envoy to the Middle East Steve Wiktoff was with Alexander's parents in Israel upon his release and can be credited as negotiating his release, according to several US sources. 

"IDF officers from the Personnel Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostage, IDF Soldier Edan Alexander. He will undergo an initial medical assessment and be reunited with his family," the IDF stated via its official Telegram account.

“IDF officers from the Personnel Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the returning hostage, IDF Soldier Edan Alexander. He will undergo an initial medical assessment and be reunited with his family. IDF representatives are accompanying the rest of his family who are waiting at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information,” the statement continued, referring to the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

Earlier in the day, IntelliNews noted that US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff was travelling to Israel for scheduled talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Alexander's situation among the key topics for discussion. Hamas agreed to the US-brokered release deal following significant pressure from the Trump administration.

A senior Israeli official suggested that Hamas timed this release to coincide with Trump's visit to the region, describing it as the group using its "only card" in an attempt to disrupt Israel's planned Gideon Chariots operation, timing the release to coincide with Trump's visit so that Israel may call off its proposed operation.

Following his return to Israeli territory the Chief of the General Staff at the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters said, "We are emotional and grateful for the return of Edan, an IDF soldier, home. That said, we do not forget our commitment to bring back the 58 hostages still held by Hamas—they remain constantly in our thoughts. We will continue to use all means at our disposal to bring them home."