Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Edan Alexander

Breaking | Last Updated: May 12, 2025, 12:56 pm

Edan Alexander, last American hostage, released from Gaza after Trump-Hamas deal

American envoys are waiting to meet with released hostage Edan Alexander, released from Hamas captivity in a deal negotiated between Washington and Hamas without Israel involved.

A sign showing the face of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander (C), who has been held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, is pictured among portraits of other Israelis held captive in Gaza at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025.

Trump-Hamas deal secures release of Edan Alexander: What to know

Preparations have started for the release of Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity in Gaza, though the group did not specify yet the exact hour.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 06: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a swearing-in ceremony for Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House on May 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump provided an update on the Houthi conflict in the Middle East. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Trump agreed to ceasefire with Houthis that ignores Israel, root causes

Despite heavy bombardment, the Houthis retained significant missile and drone capabilities, adapted tactically, inflicted a $1 billion cost on US and emerged more strategically valuable to Iran.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa upon arriving for a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace, Paris, May 7, 2025.

Exclusive

Skepticism shrouds Syria-Israel indirect talks with bets on Sharaa

Sources told Al-Monitor that shortly after Sharaa visited the UAE last month, an unofficial meeting between Syrian and Israeli delegations took place at an Abu Dhabi villa owned by an Emirati government official.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Israel warns citizens traveling to Switzerland of Eurovision protests

Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

Macron after meeting Sharaa: Lifting Syria sanctions 'in everyone's interest'

Tom Nicholson/Getty Images

Analysis

As Trump heads to Gulf, Israeli security cabinet split over plan to 'conquer' Gaza

Israeli army tanks are deployed at a position near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, on May 5, 2025. Israel was issuing orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of an expanded offensive in Gaza, Israeli media reported on May 3, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked truce mediator Qatar. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel pounds Yemen after Houthi missile strike near Tel Aviv airport: What to know

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

GHULAM RASOOL/AFP via Getty Images

Pakistan conducts strikes inside Iran as China, Turkey call for restraint

The region is already at a boiling point as the Israel-Hamas war continues to reverberate across the Middle East, with attacks in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

AKROTIRI, CYPRUS - JANUARY 12: In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, an RAF Typhoon aircraft returns to berth following a strike mission on Yemen's Houthi rebels at RAF Akrotiri on January 12, 2024 in Akrotiri, Cyprus. On Thursday evening, four RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Akrotiri to conduct strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been targeting merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones. According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the s

Fourth round of US strikes in Yemen as Houthis vow retaliation

The US launched the strikes just hours after the Houthis hit a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday.

Pakistani and Iranian flags flutter on the closed Pakistan-Iran border in Taftan on February 25, 2020 as fears over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus escalate following an outbreak in neighbouring Iran. - The Iranian outbreak where at least 15 people have already died -- the highest death toll in any country outside of China -- has aggravated already frayed nerves in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Photo by Banaras KHAN / AFP) (Photo by BANARAS KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran-Pakistan tensions simmer after strikes, IRGC officer killed in southeast

Iran is seeking to contain the damage to its relationship with Pakistan following a deadly Iranian military strike in Pakistani territory targeting a dissident group.

A meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7, 2023.

Alarmed over Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, Arab FMs rally behind Somalia, Egypt

Somalia denied entry to an Ethiopian flight heading to Somaliland, as a controversial deal signed between the latter and Ethiopia continues to be a source of concern in the region.

This picture taken from an Israeli position along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Adayseh during Israeli bombardment, Jan. 14, 2024.

War looms for Lebanon as border escalation intensifies

Cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating in recent days amid fear of a full-blown war.

This picture taken from the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing over Gaza City following Israeli strikes on Jan. 1, 2024, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group.

Breaking | Last Updated: January 16, 2024, 10:31 am

Live Updates: Attacks in Red Sea, Israel as Gaza death toll passes 24,000

Gaza City was hit with more airstrikes on Monday as Gaza authorities say the death toll has passed 24,000.

An Iranian woman holds a portrait of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei duringa demonstration against the Saudi-led coalitions Operation Decisive Storm against the Huthi rebels in Yemen, outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran on April 13, 2015. AFP PHOTO/ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Will Iran manage to dodge ripple effects of Red Sea tensions?

The Islamic Republic has condemned the Western coalition strikes targeting its favored Houthi rebels in Yemen, yet it appears to have no appetite for an escalation that could threaten its very survival.

Antalyaspor's Israeli forward Jehezkel displayed a bandage on the Gaza war after scoring a goal

Day 100 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Jan. 14

Demonstrators protesting Israel's bombardment of Gaza rallied in Washington during a global 'day of action' on January 13, 2024

Day 99 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Jan. 13

A group of singers perform Somali nationalistic songs during a demonstration in support of Somalia's government following the port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland at Eng Yariisow Stadium in Mogadishu on January 3, 2024. Somalia vowed to defend its territory after a controversial Red Sea access deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway state of Somaliland that it branded as "aggression". (Photo by ABDISHUKRI HAYBE / AFP) (Photo by ABDISHUKRI HAYBE/AFP via Getty Images)

In fallout of Somaliland-Ethiopia deal, Turkey backs Somalia amid rivalries

Turkey's harsh reaction to the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia reflects its close ties with Somalia, where it has a military base and commercial interests.

Iranian protesters burn an Israeli and a US flag during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people and Iran-backed Yemeni rebels following US and British forces strikes on Huthi rebel-held cities in Yemen, in front of the British embassy in Tehran on January 12, 2024 amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza. US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on January 12, after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who

With US strikes in Yemen, Biden gives Houthis the war they want

US strikes against Houthis will help the group portray itself as the defender of the Palestinians and rally support inside Yemen.

ISMAILIA, EGYPT - JANUARY 10: A ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt. In the wake of Israel's war on Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged disruption on all ships destined for Israel through the Red Sea's Suez Canal. The disruption on world trade is evident in the number of companies using this container ship route - a 90 per cent decline compared to figures one year ago. (Photo by Sayed Hassan/Getty Images)

Tesla, Volvo pause production lines, oil prices up amid Red Sea tension

There is a fast-growing list of companies that have had to recalibrate their business strategies while the Red Sea shipping route remains volatile.