American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander released by Hamas, NJ hometown cheers
TENAFLY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli hostage held by Hamas for nearly two years, was freed from captivity on Monday.
The community in Tenafly, New Jersey, cheered and waved flags upon news of his release.
After graduating from Tenafly High School, like many Jewish American kids, the now 21-year-old Alexander flew to Israel, the homeland of his parents, and joined the IDF.
Alexander was serving in the Israeli military when Hamas militants took him on October 7, 2023.
Alexander's mother took a flight to the Middle East to reunite with her son. The U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response posted to X overnight, saying he spent Mother's Day traveling with her.
Alexander called his mom shortly after his release.
"They just released a photo of you you look unbelievable you look beautiful I love you so much," she said.
The community came together Monday morning to pray for his safe return and many gathered to watch a big screen monitor and wait for the moment he was set free.
"I think the celebration will continue until he actually comes back to town, I think the rest of the week, all the days leading up to him coming back will just be like this because he is really community," one resident said. "You know, all the other community is involved in town. We're very close knit and as you can see and feel it."
Hamas announced that it would free him as a goodwill gesture for the Trump administration.
Hamas had been holding him hostage since they attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Israeli history.
Loved ones had been fighting to bring the 21-year-old American-Israeli citizen back home to his Tenafly community, which had been the scene of many demonstrations in support of the Alexander family.
"In terms of our overall objectives, it is right to always get all the hostages home, Edan being the last living American," Rep. Josh Gottheimer said. "The ones we believe are not alive, we have to get them home, and the other hostages home. We've got to make sure we bring peace to the region."
Alexander was next up for release when the last ceasefire ended. Experts say this could potentially encourage a wider cease-fire deal.
President Trump said on social media that he hopes Alexander's release is the first of those final steps toward ending the brutal conflict.
Alexander thanked Trump, during his flight to freedom.
Upon news of his release, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was relieved that Edan was returning home:
"With Edan's return home, their - and our - prayers have finally been answered. And as we continue praying for Edan and the Alexander family, we are also praying for the safety and well-being of every remaining hostage and innocent family in Israel, Gaza, and the entire Middle East," Murphy said.
Now finally back with his family, they are clear-eyed about the possible challenges ahead.
"Right now, the only thing that matters is the fact that he is home and that we're all going to see him again very soon, and whatever physical state and mental state he's in we're all going to go through with him and right now, that's the only thing that matters," said Alexander's best friend Amit Bendor-Gas.
While Alexander is the last living American hostage to be released from captivity, there are still four American citizens who died on or after October 7th whose bodies are still being held by Hamas.
That includes Omer Neutra who grew up in Plainview, Long Island, before moving to Israel and Itay Chen, whose dad is from Brooklyn.
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