UN chief calls for ceasefire and hostage release after IDF soldier freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the release of a US-Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza for over 18 months, calling it a vital step toward peace, but reiterated his demand for a permanent ceasefire and unfettered humanitarian access to the besieged territory.

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual national and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldier, had been held by Hamas since the group’s deadly incursion into southern Israel on 7 October 2023. That day, over 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 taken hostage in the most devastating attack on Israeli soil in decades.

Guterres described Alexander’s release as a moment of “profound relief.” In a statement read by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday, he said, “Mr Alexander’s ordeal has come to an end, and he is now returning to his family and loved ones. This is a deeply welcome development.”

According to multiple reports, Alexander was believed to be the last living American hostage held by militants in Gaza. His freedom follows months of painstaking negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States — a diplomatic triad that Guterres openly praised.

But alongside his message of relief, Guterres struck a tone of urgency. “The Secretary-General renews his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all remaining hostages,” Dujarric said. “Hostages must be treated humanely and with dignity, in accordance with international humanitarian law.”

In the same breath, Guterres highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. He urged all parties to guarantee “rapid, unhindered, and safe humanitarian relief” for civilians who remain trapped amid the rubble of war. “Aid is not negotiable,” he stressed.

The war, now nearing its 20th month, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and economy. Food security experts on Monday warned that the entire population — over two million people — faces a “critical risk of famine.” The situation has grown even more perilous since Israel imposed a near-total blockade on aid entry in early March.

Guterres insisted the international community must act now to end hostilities and restore basic human dignity to Gaza’s residents. “We must use this moment to push for a comprehensive agreement,” he said. “One that secures the release of all hostages, halts the fighting, facilitates humanitarian assistance, and starts to alleviate the immense suffering in Gaza.”

Despite growing international concern, progress toward a long-term truce remains fraught with difficulty. Talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar have yielded intermittent results, but no lasting agreement. Israeli officials have publicly maintained that military operations will continue until Hamas’s operational capacity is destroyed.

Meanwhile, Hamas has demanded a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire before it considers releasing its remaining hostages. The two sides remain locked in a cycle of violence, with civilians paying the heaviest price.

Edan Alexander’s release may be a glimmer of hope, but the road to peace remains perilously steep. The UN has continued to call for diplomacy over military action and emphasised that the lives of Gaza’s civilians — including over one million children — hang in the balance.

As Guterres concluded in his statement, the time has come for all parties “to end the bloodshed, uphold humanity, and give peace a chance.”