After a 16-month war between Israel and Hamas, five Americans are still being held hostages in Gaza, but only one of them is alive. Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American from Tenafrie, New Jersey, is the last living American hostage in Gaza.
He spent most of his life in New Jersey, but Alexander was born in Israel a few months before his parents moved to the United States. American Jewish Commission (AJC).
In many ways, Alexander grew up like a lot of American children. He went to Tenafree High School, was a swimmer and loved the New York Knicks. What separated him from most American teenagers was his frequent trips to Israel to visit his family and the fact that he spoke Hebrew at home.
After graduating from high school, Alexander decided not to enroll in college, but to join the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).
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Born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, Edan Alexander is taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza. (Hostage Family Forum)
On October 7th, the IDF Golani brigade Alexander served in the infantry Golani brigade, but was patrolling near Gaza when Hamas began attacking in Israel. The attack killed 1,200 Israelis and 251 hostages were filmed, including Alexander.
Edan's mother, Yael Alexander, spoke about the day she was held hostage in a recent interview with AJC's People of the Pod. Yael was in Israel in early October 2023, looking to visit his family and meet Edan. On the morning of October 7th, she spoke to Edan. Edan said he was watching “awful things,” but he assured him he was safe. He was then taken hostage.
Yael says she is trying to get a call and visit the hospital and figure out what happened to her son after a short call on October 7th. The IDF then informed her that her son had been held hostage.
On November 30th, 2024, more than a year after Alexander was captured, Hamas released a video of him speaking in Hebrew and Arabic. Alexander, like other hostages, was forced to create propaganda videos, delivering messages about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump.
A few days after the video's release, Edan's father, Addy Alexander, spoke to “Fox & Friends First,” calling the film “very emotional” and “intrusive.” He said it was the first time they had seen signs of life from their son since he was taken hostage.
Yael, Adi, Mika Alexander, Edan Alexander family, and soldiers from the American Israeli and Israeli Defense Forces attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and Hamas' attacks on Israel were reported by Alexander Reuters. Home of Tena Fly, New Jersey, posing to take photos during an interview with the. (Reuters/Stephanis Pindel)
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Israeli and US lawmakers have fought for his release for the past 16 months, but Alexander was not included in the list of people to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
US Congressman Josh Gottimer (DN.J.) met with his constituent Alexander's parents just weeks after a Tenafrey High School graduate was hostage.
“The family should not have to go through this immeasurable pain. I will do everything I can to ensure Edan is safely reunited with his family,” Gottheimer said. Statement about the meeting.
The woman holds an image of hostage Edan Alexander during the day of global unity and prayer between Israeli hostages and missing family forums. (Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images)
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On the 300th day of Alexander in captivity, the government. Phil Murphy“We must see Edan reunite with his family and community as soon as possible,” said Dn.J.
In addition to Alexander, Hamas holds the bodies of four dead American hostages. Hamas released six more hostages on Saturday in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners as part of a continuing ceasefire agreement with Israel. This remains the first phase of the ceasefire, and the second phase is expected to be negotiated soon.
