On May 11, 2025, the town of Tenafly, New Jersey, rejoiced as news broke that Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old New Jersey native who had been held hostage in Gaza for over 500 days, would finally be coming home. A sign at Tenafly High School, where Edan graduated just a few years ago, displayed a heartfelt message: “Bring Edan Home Now.” His return had been eagerly awaited by his family, friends, his community, and people around the world who had followed his tragic story.
Family remembers Palestinian American teen killed in the West Bank
Edan Alexander was believed to be the last American hostage held by Hamas after the group’s brutal attack on Israel in October 2023. The news of his impending release came earlier that day when Hamas announced that they would free Edan ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East. Later, Trump confirmed the news in a post on social media, calling Edan’s release “a step taken in good faith toward the United States” and acknowledging the role of Qatar and Egypt in mediating the situation.
In a statement, U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, revealed he was traveling with Edan’s parents to Israel to reunite with their son. The family, who had endured months of agonizing uncertainty, were hoping for a reunion on May 12, 2025. In their statement, they expressed deep gratitude to President Trump and his administration for their tireless efforts in securing Edan’s freedom. “Today, on Mother’s Day, we received the greatest gift imaginable,” they said, referring to the news that their son would be returning home after 583 days in captivity.
Edan’s parents, Adi and Yael Alexander, had been vocal about their desire to bring Edan back home throughout the long, painful wait. They also took the opportunity to call for the release of the remaining 58 hostages still being held by Hamas, emphasizing that “no hostage should be left behind.” Edan was among the dozen Americans taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the abduction of approximately 250 others. His release marked a hopeful step forward in ending the suffering of the remaining hostages.
Friends and family have described Edan as a kind, athletic, and fun-loving young man. He graduated from Tenafly High School in 2022, where he was involved in sports and the local swim team. Edan had always been close to his Jewish roots and frequently visited Israel to spend time with his grandparents, even celebrating his bar mitzvah there. His decision to volunteer for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after high school, despite not being obligated to serve, surprised his family. He felt it was his duty to help protect Israel.
On the day of his capture, Edan was stationed in southern Israel when Hamas militants stormed the country, initiating the brutal assault. During a phone call with his mother that morning, Edan mentioned the intense gunfire and how he had taken shrapnel to his helmet. He reassured her that he was safe. That would be the last conversation they had. In the days that followed, the family was left in the dark about Edan’s whereabouts until Israeli officials informed them that he had been taken by Hamas into Gaza. Footage later emerged showing Edan surrounded by armed militants as they captured him.
In the months that followed, hostages released by Hamas reported seeing Edan in captivity, in some cases living in Hamas’s underground tunnel system. Despite his harrowing circumstances, Edan was described as maintaining a positive attitude. His father, Adi, recounted that Edan tried to help other captives, including Thai workers, by translating between them and their captors.
The release of two propaganda videos featuring Edan in recent months heightened the family’s concern. In a video released in April 2025, Edan appeared gaunt and emotionally drained, describing his physical and mental deterioration. He pleaded with U.S. and Israeli leaders to negotiate for his freedom, expressing hope that he would return home in time to celebrate the holidays with his family.
Edan’s story is a powerful reminder of the human toll of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, and his release is seen as a significant step toward healing for both his family and the broader global community. As his loved ones prepare to reunite with him, they remain hopeful that his release could serve as a catalyst for the return of all hostages and an eventual end to the suffering caused by this brutal conflict.
It’s such a relief to hear that Edan Alexander is finally coming home after such a long and harrowing ordeal. The strength and resilience of his family throughout this time is truly inspiring. It’s heartwarming to see how the community rallied together, with messages like the one at Tenafly High School. I wonder, though, what steps are being taken to ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages? It’s crucial that no one is left behind in such situations. The involvement of Qatar and Egypt in mediating this release is commendable, but do you think more international pressure is needed to resolve these conflicts? How can we, as a global community, contribute to preventing such tragedies in the future?