“584 days held hostage by Hamas — American Edan Alexander is free!,” the White House welcomed back Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander in a Monday (US time) social media post shared on X. US President Donald Trump also took to his Truth Social platform to spread the good news about the 21-year-old’s much-awaited release. “Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!” he wrote ahead of his visit to the Middle East beginning on Tuesday.

Edan Alexander reunites with family

In the post shared by the White House, a smiling Edan Alexander is seen holding up a white message board, which reads, “Thank you President Trump!!!” Believed to be the last living American citizen held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, he finally reunited with his family following the Monday release. A video capturing the emotional moment has taken the internet by storm, as Edan is seen embracing his father Adi, mother Yael and a sibling at Reim Military Base in Israel on May 12, 2025.

US President Donald Trump has hosted Alexander’s family at the White House on several accounts before he was freed this week. Ahead of his arrival, they exhaled a sigh of relief when Hamas announced he would be released. The Associated Press quoted them saying they had “received the greatest gift imaginable — news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza.”

Even beyond his family, masses came together to celebrate his return. People gathered in Tel Aviv and in Tenafly, New Jersey, to cheer on the American hostage’s release. Thanking Donald Trump for exerting military and political pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the development as a “very moving moment.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross was instrumental in Alexander’s transfer from Gaza to Israeli authorities. Having moved to Israel at the age of 18, the New Jersey native was serving in the IDF when was taken into Hamas’ captivity (alongside 250 others) during the October 7, 2023, attack. At the time, he was just 19 years old.

Back in 2022, Edan was in his senior year of high school when he joined Garin Tzabar, as a precursor and preparatory move to join the Israel Defence Forces. Once he moved to Israel to serve in the military after his graduation, he was assigned to the infantry, according to the New York Times.

Omer Neutra, 21, an American Israeli friend of Edan Alexander, was serving in the same post at the time. He, too, was taken by Hamas in the aftermath of Oct 7 attack. In December, the White House issued the sad revelation of Neutra’s death.

Ceasefire demands

While most among the 251 people taken hostage in the Hamas attack were release in ceasefire agreements or other deals, Alexander remained in the militant group’s captivity until this week alongside other male soldiers.

Hamas previously foregrounded that it would only release the remaining hostages if a lasting ceasefire agreement were to be finalised. The organisation also called for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, while seeking the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel’s rejection followed adamant claims that it would continue waging war until all hostages have been set free. Despite committing again to the ceasefire agreement, Israel broke the truce with a bombardment.