Freed hostage Edan Alexander not well enough to join Trump in Qatar, family says

Newly released hostage Edan Alexander is not well enough to travel to Qatar to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said on Tuesday.

“The Alexander family confirms that as of now, Edan will not fly to Qatar,” a statement read. “The family remains in continuous contact with the Trump administration.”

Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli dual citizen, was freed by Hamas after 584 days in captivity in what sources describe as a goodwill gesture to Trump. The release followed assurances from a third-party mediator that the move could positively influence Washington and potentially nudge Israel toward ending its war in Gaza.

Alexander instead spoke with the President as US special envoy Steve Witkoff visited him at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital.

“After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many. We also had the opportunity to speak with @POTUS, whose leadership made this possible. We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home,” Witkoff tweeted.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to send a negotiating team to Doha. The decision sparked concern among Netanyahu’s coalition partners, prompting the Prime Minister to reassure them that Israel would not halt the war before Hamas is defeated.

Netanyahu’s delegation to Qatar includes his diplomatic adviser Ophir Falk, hostage envoy Gal Hirsch, and a former Shin Bet deputy chief whose name remains under gag order. The team is expected to engage in indirect talks with Hamas, with Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. acting as mediators.

Trump is also heading to the region this week, beginning in Saudi Arabia before visiting Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. While the Gaza war may surface in his discussions with Gulf leaders, the focus of the trip is expected to remain on economic ties.

Israel has warned it could launch a major ground offensive in Gaza if no hostage deal is reached by the time Trump leaves the region on Friday.

Alexander, now back in Israel, is expected to remain under medical supervision at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital for at least four days following Health Ministry protocols. He was reportedly visited by US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Israel Defence Forces paused its strikes on Gaza terror targets on Monday so as not to disrupt Alexander’s release. But during the night, the IDF struck what it called “key” Hamas terrorists operating from a command-and-control centre inside Khan Yunis’ Nasser Hospital.

“Senior Hamas terrorist organization officials continue to use the hospital for terrorist purposes, cynically and cruelly exploiting the civilian population in and around the hospital,” the IDF said.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 58 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead.