Hamas Releases American Hostage After 580 Days
Hamas announced on Monday that it has released Edan Alexander, the last remaining American hostage, after he spent over 580 days in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
The 21-year-old, who holds dual citizenship in the US and Israel, will be met by a specialized Israeli defense unit and taken to a reception center in Rame for preliminary medical and psychological evaluations by the IDF Medical Corps.
A statement from Hamas noted, “The Alkassam Brigade has just released Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier with American citizenship, following communication with the US administration. This release aligns with mediators’ efforts to reach a ceasefire, open border crossings, and facilitate the arrival of aid to Gaza.”
In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Trump is “working to secure the release of all Americans detained overseas,” emphasizing that efforts will continue until all hostages return home. News of Alexander’s release led to a wave of applause from a crowd gathered in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey.
Sue Gercy, interim CEO of the Kaplan JCC in Palisades, estimated that about 3,000 people had congregated in downtown Tenafly to celebrate.
Before Alexander’s release, Trump, who was planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, described the news as “great.” Following a meeting with US ambassadors, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to thank Trump for his role in securing Alexander’s freedom.
Alexander’s family awaits him at the reception facility, accompanied by officers from the missing persons and hostages unit. After a brief reunion, he and his family will be flown to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for further care.
As part of his service in the IDF, Alexander will receive a range of support, including medical and psychological assistance.
Hamas had claimed the responsibility for his release. Alexander’s mother, Yael, expressed her long period of uncertainty, stating, “I was filled with sorrow and pain, not knowing what would happen to my son.” She reminisced about a previous Mother’s Day celebration, emphasizing how the prolonged ordeal made her feel fearful and anxious.
Growing up in Tenafly, Alexander moved to Israel at 18 to serve in the IDF’s Golani Brigade. He had options to go home but chose to remain with his fellow soldiers on that fateful day, October 7th.
Iret Samelano, whose son is also a hostage, shared her sentiments about Mother’s Day, saying, “For many of us, it’s just another day of nightmare. While I’m genuinely happy for the Alexander family, we need to keep pushing for the others’ freedom.”
