Edan Alexander, Last American Hostage, Released by Hamas After 19 Months

Edan Alexander's Release and Return Home

• 🇺🇸 Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held by Hamas, has been released.
• 🤝 This release follows an agreement announced by the White House with the terrorist group.
• 🏠 Alexander, a 21-year-old from Tenafly, New Jersey, was serving in the Israeli Defense Forces when taken hostage on October 7, 2023.

Community and Family Reaction

• 🥳 Hundreds gathered in Tenafly, New Jersey, to await his return, with many taking time off work and school.
• ❤️ His family described receiving his return as the "greatest gift imaginable" on Mother's Day, after 583 days in captivity.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His father, brother, sister, and grandfather are set to meet him at the hospital.

Edan Alexander's Background and Captivity

• 🏊‍♂️ Friends describe Alexander as the "glue" of their group and a swimming star.
• 🗣️ Recently released Thai hostages reported that Alexander assisted them by translating during captivity.
• 🎂 He celebrated two birthdays while held captive.

Broader Implications and Hopes

• 🕊️ The crowd hopes Alexander's release will catalyze negotiations for the remaining hostages.
• 🎗️ Alexander is believed to be the last living American hostage; Hamas is thought to hold the bodies of four other Americans.
• 💔 It is estimated that only about a third of the remaining 60 hostages are still alive.