Edan Alexander, a 19-year-old American-Israeli soldier originally from Tenafly, New Jersey, was abducted by Hamas militants during their assault on an Israeli military base on October 7, 2023. This incident marked the beginning of a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Recently, Alexander was released by Hamas, becoming the last living American hostage in Gaza. His release came as a gesture of goodwill aimed at reviving discussions to end the prolonged war, which has persisted for 19 months.
Alexander was one of 251 individuals taken hostage during the October 7 attack. As of now, 58 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with only around a third thought to be alive. Most of the hostages were released through ceasefire agreements or other negotiations. Following the announcement of his release, Alexander's family expressed immense relief and joy, stating, "we received the greatest gift imaginable—news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza."
On the day of his release, Alexander's parents traveled to Israel to greet him. Adam Boehler, President Trump's hostage negotiator, shared a touching photo on social media of Alexander's mother, Yael, aboard the flight, reflecting the family's anticipation and emotional journey. After moving to Israel in 2022 post-high school, Alexander enlisted in the military and was eventually captured after volunteering to remain at his base during the Jewish Sabbath.
In the days following his abduction, a video released by Hamas during the Thanksgiving weekend of November 2024 showed Alexander in distress, pleading for help. While difficult to view, this footage brought some solace to his family, confirming he was still alive. Subsequent hostages released have provided updates, indicating that Alexander had lost significant weight but had also taken a stand for fellow captives, advocating for the release of Thai workers who were also held hostage by Hamas.
During earlier ceasefire negotiations, Alexander, along with other male soldiers, was not released. In January and February, Hamas freed 25 Israeli hostages along with the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. The state of the released hostages, many appearing emaciated, deepened the despair among families waiting for their loved ones to return.
Hamas announced that future releases would only be considered in exchange for a lasting ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and further Palestinian prisoner releases. However, Israel has firmly rejected these conditions, vowing to continue military operations until all hostages are liberated and Hamas is defeated. In March, Hamas had proposed the release of Alexander and other hostages, contingent on Israel recommitting to a stalled ceasefire agreement. After some negotiations, Israel resumed its offensive, significantly impacting the hostage situation.
The Alexander family has publicly urged the Israeli government to intensify efforts for the release of all remaining hostages. "Please don’t stop," they implored, expressing hope that their son’s return might catalyze negotiations for the release of the other 58 individuals still being held, thereby ending a nightmare for these hostages and their families.
