Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander Freed After 584 Days
Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, has been released from captivity in Gaza after nearly two years. His release marks a significant moment in the ongoing hostage crisis tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Alexander was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on May 12, 2025. According to Israeli officials, he was transferred safely to Israeli forces and taken to a medical center for evaluation. His family has confirmed that he is alive and receiving care.
Alexander grew up in New Jersey and served in the Israel Defense Forces. He was captured during Hamas’s surprise assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, he had been held in Gaza under what Israeli reports described as extremely difficult conditions, including reported instances of physical abuse and limited access to food.
U.S. officials had made his release a top priority. While Hamas described the handover as a humanitarian gesture, it comes just ahead of a planned visit by former President Donald Trump to the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited military pressure and ongoing diplomacy for Alexander’s return.
Here’s what we know:
- Name: Edan Alexander
- Age: 21
- From: Tenafly, New Jersey
- Captured: October 7, 2023, during Hamas’s attack on Israe
- Freed: May 12, 2025
- Time in captivity: 584 day
- Release organized by: International Committee of the Red Cross
Alexander’s mother, Yael Alexander, was able to speak with him by phone shortly after he was recovered. In a public message, she said: “You are strong. You are protected. You are home. We will meet soon. I love you.”
Celebration and Reflection
His release was met with a mix of celebration and reflection in both Israel and his hometown in New Jersey. Still, it highlights the larger crisis: according to Israeli authorities, about 58 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, and only around 23 of them are thought to be alive.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Aid organizations have raised alarms about food shortages, with some estimates warning that hundreds of thousands of people could be at risk of famine.
While Alexander’s return offers some relief, officials in both the U.S. and Israel stress that broader negotiations remain stalled. Netanyahu’s government has reiterated that no ceasefire agreement is currently in place, and military operations in Gaza are expected to continue.
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