Edan Alexander, a recently freed Israeli-American, is looking forward to returning to New Jersey. The 21-year-old savored a cold beer for the first time since being released by Hamas.
After being held for 584 days, Alexander shared his first Instagram story on Monday.
He captioned it “A sweet house.”
Edan’s father, Ady Alexander, mentioned that his son is still dealing with the trauma from his time with Hamas, but the family is optimistic about his recovery and his upcoming return to the U.S.
“Soon Edan will be back home in New Jersey, watching his younger brother play basketball and reconnecting with friends,” Ady told a local news outlet.
Regarding Edan’s return, Ady added, “He’s 21 now, and those happy moments might include beer, but I’ll always remember the first beer he had on the rooftop of this building since his release.”
Although it’s unclear exactly when they will be back in Tenafly, Ady did mention that Edan is expected to recover soon at Tel Aviv Hospital.
Ady disclosed that his son had suffered significant physical abuse, long periods of isolation, and multiple injuries during his time in Hamas’s tunnel network.
“At one point, the tunnel collapsed on him and injured his shoulder,” Ady explained, recounting the difficulties Edan faced.
He also noted that Edan has numerous bedbug bites and that his skin is in bad shape. “He survived on pita, rice, and legumes without sunlight or proper hygiene for months,” Ady said.
Reports indicated that Edan was restrained and kept in a cage, while Israeli Defense Forces personnel faced ongoing beatings and questioning.
Nevertheless, Ady expressed that Edan’s cheerful nature remains intact. “He was this goofy, funny guy, and he’s still funny,” his father remarked. “I don’t think he’s changed much—he’s just tired.”
