Freed American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander gets hero's welcome in New Jersey
TENAFLY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A welcome celebration was held for released American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander on Thursday afternoon in downtown Tenafly, New Jersey.
Alexander, now 21, moved to Israel at the age of 18 and joined the IDF.
He was 19 years old and actively serving in the Israeli military when he was captured during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
He was finally freed May 12 after 584 days in captivity.
Alexander flew back on an American Repatriation flight carrying diplomats and their family members from Israel.
On Thursday afternoon, the streets of Tenafly quickly filled with thousands friends and supporters in a show of support and unity.
American and Israeli flags were proudly displayed along the route with welcome home signs carried by supporters.
"We're excited to have him back, it's been a big deal you know a part of our town was missing and now he's finally home. So it's really nice for all of us to have him back," a Tenafly resident said.
Alexander was all smiles riding in the passenger seat and giving high-fives to several people on the parade route.
"It was a very surreal moment seeing him back home after all of this time. He looks great and being able to see the whole town come out and support him, its very good," a Tenafly resident said.
The entire route was covered with supporters who were praying for Alexander and his family while he was a captive for 584 days.
Now the hope is Alexander will have time to get used to being back among the people he grew up with and the community that prayed for his safe return.
"Thank God. This was a pure happiness to see him smiling in his car on the way home," another resident said.
Alexander was the last living American citizen still believed to be held by Hamas.
"We always believed that this moment will come, always," his father, Adi Alexander, told ABC News in an exclusive interview. "Hope is mandatory. It finally happened."
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