Hundreds gathered Monday in New Jersey to watch the release of Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, who has been held hostage for over 19 months. Family, friends and supporters gathered at Huyler Park in Tenafly, where Alexander grew up, to watch a livestream of the Israeli-American national's release. Alexander, 21, was released at around 11:30 a.m. Monday. He was a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces when he was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas announced Sunday that he would be freed from captivity. Alexander was placed into the hands of the Red Cross, which then transferred him to the IDF.
Now former Hamas prisoner, Edan Alexander, who had been held captive by the terrorist group since 2023, reunited with his family in Israel on Monday. Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier, was the final living American hostage to be released by the group. It is not clear when he will be returning to the United States, but he has been invited to meet with President Donald Trump in Qatar if he's up to it. Hamas said it released Alexander as a gesture of goodwill toward the Trump administration, which has been pushing to end the war in Gaza. Hamas has released the majority of its captives, but 57 still remain, only 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
Israel has released emotional footage showing Edan Alexander’s mom blissfully speaking to her 21-year-old son on the phone just after he was released from Hamas’ clutches in Gaza. “You are strong. You are safe. You are home. We’ll see each other soon. I love you,” Yael Alexander said to her son, an Israel Defense Forces staff sergeant who was held captive by the bloodthirsty terror group for more than 19 months. Loved ones could be heard squealing with jubilation, exclaiming “Oh my God!”as the overjoyed mom was handed the cell phone with her beloved Edan on the line. “You’re out, my dear. That’s it. I’m here waiting for you. Everything’s ok, you’re ok. You’re safe and you’re home, we’re going to meet soon. I love you my dear,” she said, according to a translation provided by Israel Defense Forces and shared on social media.
