Israel News for 5-12-2025
News Update
Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier being held captive by Hamas, is set to be released today in Khan Yunis to the Red Cross, who will transport him across the border to Israel, where his parents will be waiting to greet him. He will also be met by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, who negotiated his release ahead of President’s Trump visit to the Middle East, which begins today. The IDF will cease operations today to allow for his release, but no ceasefire has yet been agreed to. An Israeli team is heading to Cairo for negotiations to hash out a deal for the return of the remaining hostages. Alexander and his family are expected to join Witkoff and travel to Qatar, where they will meet Trump.
It is not clear yet why Hamas has agreed to give Trump a “gift” without demanding anything in return, but their motive are most likely intended to cause friction between the U.S. and Israel and within Israeli society.
A ballistic missile was launched at Israel by the Houthis today, but it failed mid-flight and never made it to Israel. This comes a day after Israel issued a warning for imminent attacks against 3 ports in Yemen.
