First Thing: Hamas frees last living US citizen held in Gaza

<p>American soldier Edan Alexander meets family at Israel border. Plus, what one woman learned by watching every single Nicolas Cage film</p><p>Good morning.</p><p>Hamas has freed the last living US citizen it held in Gaza, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/12/hamas-frees-last-us-citizen-held-in-gaza-in-what-trump-calls-a-good-faith-step">Edan Alexander</a>, in a unilateral move Donald Trump described as a “good faith step” towards ending the war and bringing home all remaining hostages.</p><p><strong>How serious is the situation in Gaza?</strong> Gaza is at “critical risk of famine”, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/12/food-security-experts-warn-gaza-critical-risk-famine-israeli-blockade">food security experts have warned</a>, 10 weeks after Israel imposed a blockade on the devastated Palestinian territory, cutting off all supplies including food, medicine, shelter and fuel.</p><p><strong>Did others who were interviewed agree?</strong> The authors spoke to around 200 people for the book, including members of Congress and White House and campaign insiders. Some had been sounding the alarm about Biden’s mental acuity and about desperate efforts by his close staff and allies to hide the extent of his deterioration.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/13/first-thing-hamas-frees-last-living-us-citizen-held-in-gaza">Continue reading...</a>