Edan Alexander, 21, was released Monday, believed to be the last living American citizen Hamas of Gaza hostage.
The extremist group handed over Alexander as part of a deal negotiated directly with the US, minimizing Israeli involvement. President Trump has focused on his release since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March.
On Monday, Trump said that Alexander was released and was celebrating “his wonderful parents, family, friends!” This release occurs as Trump is planning to travel to the Middle East.
Who is Edan Alexander?
Alexander is a double citizen of the American Israeli citizen who grew up in Tenafree, New Jersey.
In 2022, he joined Garin Zabal during his junior year of high school. Garin Tsabal prepares young people from all over the world to join the Israeli Defense Forces. After graduating he moved to Israel to serve the army and was assigned to infantry.
Alexander was stationed near the border with Gaza in September 2023.
How was he held hostage?
Alexander was accused of October 7, 2023, and Hamas-led attacks on Israel sparked the war in Gaza. He was taken from a small military front post base near the border with Gaza.
Last year Hamas released his video.
Omer Nutra, an American friend of Mr. Alexander, who had the same position, was also taken to Hamas.
In December, the White House announced that Neutra was killed on October 7th and Hamas had held his body since the attack. He was 21 years old.
How did Alexander's family react?
His parents, Adi and Yael Alexander, were born in Israel and have two other children. They insisted on Mr. Alexander's freedom to the lent, meeting with officials and speaking at the meeting.
“We are in the pain of passing without our son every day,” his parents wrote in a guest essay in the New York Times in September after the discovery of the body of another hostage, Israeli American Hirsch Goldbergporin.
On Sunday, Alexander traveled to Israel with Trump administration officials. In a statement, the family called his coming return “the greatest gift I can imagine,” urging the Israeli government to negotiate the release of the remaining prisoners, saying “no hostages should be left behind.”
What is his condition?
The military said after the statement that he was on his way to Israel and would meet with his family after receiving his first medical evaluation.
Images and videos shared by Israeli authorities on Monday showed Alexander looking pale, but he looked normal and laughed. He was reunited with his relatives enthusiastically.
