Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier from New Jersey, was released from Hamas captivity on Monday after 584 days, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Alexander, who was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, during a cross-border attack by Hamas militants, was transferred to Red Cross officials before being handed over to IDF and Israeli Security Agency (ISA) forces. He has now returned to Israeli territory, where he underwent initial medical evaluations and was reunited with his family.
“This is a very emotional moment — Edan Alexander has returned home. We embrace him and we embrace his family,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on X. “This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. This is a winning combination.”
“According to the information communicated by the Red Cross, one hostage has been transferred to them and is on his way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza,” the military said.
In a follow-up statement, the military said Alexander was being escorted by IDF special forces and would soon meet his family.
“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his way home to the State of Israel,” the statement read.
“Edan Alexander finally returned home today after 584 days in Hamas captivity. It is our duty to ensure that all of our remaining 58 hostages in Gaza return home,” said LTC Nadav Shoshani, spokesperson for the IDF.
The White House also acknowledged the release, stating that Edan’s return was a moment of shared relief and determination. In a widely shared video, Edan was seen speaking to his mother by phone for the first time in nearly two years.
According to a White House post on X, Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, handed the phone to Edan’s mother during their tearful conversation.
The IDF emphasized that its mission to secure the return of the remaining hostages in Gaza remains active and ongoing. As of Monday, 58 Israeli and foreign nationals are still believed to be held by Hamas.
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