Edan Alexander | |
|---|---|
 Alexander in 2025 | |
| Born | (2003-12-29)December 29, 2003 (age 21) Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Citizenship | |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Known for | Gaza war hostage |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Israel |
| Branch | Israeli Ground Forces |
| Years of service | 2022–present |
| Unit | Golani Brigade |
| Battles / wars | |
Edan Alexander (born December 29, 2003) is an American-Israeli soldier and formerprisoner of war who became the last known livingAmerican citizen held hostage byHamas in theGaza war hostage crisis. His captivity and eventual release after 584 days received extensiveinternational media coverage and political attention. His abduction during theOctober 7 attacks, his dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, and his role as an Israeli soldier made his case particularly significant. Alexander's release was the result of high-profile negotiations involving theU.S. government and was marked by meetings with PresidentDonald Trump at theWhite House. The negotiations and advocacy to secure his freedom became emblematic of international efforts to resolve the hostage crisis. Upon his return, Alexander received an official welcome in his hometown ofTenafly, New Jersey, with hundreds gathering to celebrate his return.
Alexander was born inTel Aviv, Israel, on December 29, 2003, toIsraeli parents.[1] The family moved to the U.S. when he was a baby.[2] Alexander spent summers visiting Israeli relatives including his grandparents.[3] After high school in his hometown of Tenafly, Alexander returned toIsrael in 2022. He joinedGarin Tzabar, a program of the Israel Scouts, and enlisted in theIsrael Defense Forces.[4] Alexander serves in theGolani Brigade of theInfantry Corps.[5]
During theOctober 7 attacks on Israel, Hamas militants seized Alexander from his military base. He had volunteered to stay there over the JewishSabbath.[6] By his account, he faced off with almost 30 militants by himself before he was kidnapped.[7] Alexander was one of six Americans taken into captivity by Hamas.[4]
Alexander was held in underground tunnels, Hamas safe houses, mosques, schools, and tents of displacedPalestinians. He was once transferred by a militant that was disguised as a woman, going through a busy Gaza market. He reported suffering hunger in captivity, losing a quarter of his body weight after being served only pitta, hummus, rice and canned food, which his father said was reflective of thefood scarcity in Gaza.[7] He described captivity as “year of hell.”[8] He was kept with Matan Zangauker for some time, as well as with Itzik Elgarat, whose body was returned in February 2025 after his death due to a heart attack as he was subjected totorture during interrogations.[9] According toThai hostages' accounts, Alexander advocated for them with their Hamas captors in English, explaining that the Thais were migrant workers, not Israelis.[3]
In November 2024, Hamas released a video of Alexander in which he pleaded for help[6] and said he did not want to "end up dead like my fellow USA citizen,Hersh".[10]
Alexander said he had been held in a cage in aHamas underground tunnel with his hands and feet bound.[11] Alexander washandcuffed, beaten and interrogated during his time in captivity, according to his father, who added, “His whole body has bedbug bites. His skin is in terrible condition.”[12]
In April 2025, Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, theQassam Brigades, said Hamas had lost contact with the group holding Alexander.[13]
In May 2025, Alexander entered Israel fromGaza in a deal made directly between Hamas and theUnited States.[14] He was seen with masked Hamas fighters as they handed him over to Red Cross workers in Khan Younis.[15] Unlike prior hostage release ceremonies, he was not paraded in front of a crowd.[16]
Alexander was given aStar of David necklace bySteve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, who had played an active role in the negotiations.[17] The necklace had belonged to Witkoff's late son, Andrew.[18] Other negotiators credited by President Trump included Secretary of StateMarco Rubio and US Special Envoy for Hostage ResponseAdam Boehler.[19] Alexander's family had met with the President multiple times while they were advocating for his release.[20]
Alexander returned to large crowds in his hometown of Tenafly,New Jersey. CongressmanJosh Gottheimer, a JewishNew Jersey Democrat, described his return as "a huge day worthy of great celebration across our state.”[21] Alexander was greeted by President Trump at the White House on July 3, 2025.[12] His family urged the Israeli government to continue efforts to free the 58 remaining hostages in Gaza.[22] Alexander also visitedthe grave ofMenachem Mendel Schneerson, also known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, in New York. While in captivity, Alexander had seen television footage of his parents praying there for his return together with President Trump.[23]
At a September 2025 gala hosted byFriends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) in New York, Alexander announced he would return to Israel to serve in theIsrael Defense Forces (IDF).[24]