Freed Hostage Edan Alexander Returns Home to New Jersey After 584 Days in Captivity

Homecoming of Edan Alexander

• 🏠 Edan Alexander, a New Jersey native, is returning home to Tenafly after being held hostage by Hamas for nearly 600 days.
• 🗓️ The now-21-year-old was taken hostage on October 7th, 2023, while stationed at the Gaza border.
• 🤝 He was released in May as part of a deal brokered by the Trump administration.

Experience in Captivity

• 🏥 Alexander was taken to a hospital in Tel Aviv after his release and will fly back to the US on Thursday.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 His parents described their reunion as a moment when "time stood still," expressing immense joy and relief.
• 🚇 His parents stated that he was held in underground tunnels and had not seen daylight, but seeing them plead for his release on the news kept him hopeful.
• 👥 Being held with other hostages also contributed to his hope during captivity.

Community and Context

• ✡️ Rabbi Yitzak Gerchevitz described Alexander's return as a "miracle of God" and a moment of immense joy for the community.
• 🇺🇸 Alexander's return coincides with US efforts to evacuate citizens from Israel amidst the ongoing conflict.
• 📣 The Tenafly community is preparing to line the streets to welcome him home.