Parents of Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old from New Jersey and last remaining American held hostage by Hamas, said Tuesday they always believed the day would come to see their son.
Yael and Adi Alexander, his mother and father, were reunited Monday at Reim Military Base in Israel. A day later in a Tel Aviv hospital, they said “hope is mandatory” in such situations.
Edan Alexander, three years after graduation from Tenafly High School, has dual citizenship in America and Israel. He was captured on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian groups invaded Israeli territory for the first time since 1948. More than 1,200 were killed in the initial attack, including 31 Americans.
Alexander was among 251 taken hostage, then just a 19-year-old member of the Israel Defense Forces.
Four other Americans are believed dead and their bodies still being held by Hamas.
The Times of Israel said Wednesday, quoting a foreign ministry official from Qatar, that the release of Alexander is a jumpstart to end the war in Gaza. Egypt and the United States are working with Qatar on bringing peace.
Hamas dealt with the U.S., Egypt and Qatar in the release of Alexander, with Israel allowing him safe passage to Reim.
Tuesday marked the 585th day since the war began.
