American Hostage Edan Alexander Reunites With Parents After 584 Days In Hamas Captivity

With tight hugs and tears, American-Israeli Edan Alexander was reunited with his parents today, ending 584 harrowing days in Hamas captivity.

WATCH: Edan Alexander reuniting with his parents after being a hostage 584 days. pic.twitter.com/ngvQGCZ2hL

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 12, 2025

The 21-year-old greeted his parents at the Re’im base on the Gaza border. Before reaching his parents, he spoke to his mother on the phone alongside U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

“Edan?” His mom said screaming in joy. “They just released a photo of you and you look unbelievable, wow. You look beautiful. I love you so much.”

Upon crossing into Israel in a convoy, Alexander was greeted by Israelis standing on the side of the road and cheering.

The rest of his family watched from a screen together at the hospital and were seen clapping as soon as Alexander was transferred to the Red Cross in Khan Younis by Hamas.

The reaction of Edan Alexander’s family to his transfer to the Red Cross after 584 days in Hamas captivity. pic.twitter.com/f5qAJ0en96

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) May 12, 2025

The former hostage was transported to the hospital to be reunited with other members of his family and to receive medical treatment.

Before Alexander’s release, his family said he may travel to Qatar to meet Trump this week, depending on his medical condition, reported Israel Hayom.

Alexander’s release was negotiated by the Trump administration with Hamas not receiving any Arab prisoners in exchange, as it has in previous deals.

Edan Alexander was born in Rockville, Maryland, and later moved to New Jersey. He joined the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 massacre while at a small outpost by Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Alexander is the first male IDF soldier abducted during Hamas’s October 7 massacre to be released.

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Residents of his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey gathered early Monday morning for several hours to await Alexander’s release. Alexander’s parents fought tirelessly for his release, meeting with world leaders, speaking at high-profile events, and constantly keeping his name in the media.

While preparing for his release, Yael Alexander traveled to the IDF’s Re’im base on the Gaza border to greet him as he arrived in Israel. His grandmother, Varda, prepared her grandson’s favorite dishes while taking questions from reporters.

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In February on the CPAC stage, Adi Alexander described his son as an “all-American kid.”

“He decided on a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries,” he said.

Adi said he has spoken to Trump several times, who was shocked by the fact that 45 Americans were killed on October 7.

“Ever since we met him, he took ownership on this matter, recognizing that Americans are still being held,” he said. “We are very grateful for that but we have to push forward until they are all out.”

Adi Alexander, the father of the last American believed to be alive in Hamas captivity, spoke about his son on @CPAC‘s main stage today.

“Edan is an all-American kid,” Adi said. “He decided to take a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries.” pic.twitter.com/oT6RMkfwom

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) February 20, 2025

Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of four American citizens: Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai, Itay Chen, and Omer Neutra.

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On Monday, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum published an ad in the New York Post, pleading for the remaining hostages not to be forgotten and declaring that their “hope rests” with Trump.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he hopes that “we’re going to have other hostages released.”

Trump added that with Alexander’s return, there are only 20 hostages believed to still be alive.

“I am relieved that American Edan Alexander finally gets to come home,” U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee posted to X. “As @POTUS said, we hope that this long-overdue release marks the beginning of the end to this terrible war. Hamas alone is responsible for the continued death and suffering. We demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages.”