Release of Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander

Edan Alexander, the last Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza, was released from captivity and recently met with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House on Thursday.

Having moved to the U.S. as a toddler, Edan, now 21, grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, along with his family, including his parents Adi and Yael, his sister Mika, and his brother Roy. During their meeting, he expressed gratitude to Trump for playing a significant role in his liberation from Hamas.

“I’ve come to thank the person responsible for saving my life. It was a deeply moving experience to be in the White House, the same place my parents fought for my release, but this time I spoke to reporters in the Oval Office with them,” Alexander stated.

He mentioned that after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, his treatment by Hamas prisoners improved markedly.

“They weren’t too afraid of Biden,” Trump quipped in response.

Alexander also called on the president to persist in efforts to secure the freedom of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza. However, sources from the Israeli Intelligence Report suggest that most of these individuals are likely deceased, with only about 20 still alive and their bodies being held by the captors.

“I conveyed to the most powerful man in the world what I endured, what my friends are going through, and I asked him to do everything in his power,” Alexander told the media.

“I expressed my concern that my words could put the hostages in danger. I really hope he can achieve another groundbreaking deal to secure the freedom of all 50 hostages. I’m confident he can pull it off.”

According to a tweet from the White House, Edan Alexander endured a gripping ordeal of 584 days as a hostage. President Trump made a promise to bring him home and kept it, welcoming him into the Oval Office.

Alexander was released on May 12, having been captured while serving with the IDF during the turbulent events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants targeted southern Israel, leading to the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 others.

After his release, Alexander participated in a call with President Trump, where he expressed his gratitude directly.

“President,” he greeted Trump when they connected. “You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life.”