Freed hostage Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage being held by Hamas, got a hero's welcome on Thursday after finally arriving home, following nearly 600 days in captivity.
Hundreds of people lined the streets and corners of his hometown in Tenafly, with massive crowds of supporters cheering for the 21-year-old New Jersey native as he was driven through the streets on his way home.
Freed hostage Edan Alexander is welcomed home to New Jersey! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KCUcfXBS9d
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 19, 2025
Supporters chanted, carried signs that read "Welcome Home Edan," and waved both Israeli flags and American flags during his return to the small town, according to reports:
JUST IN: Hundreds line the streets of Tenafly, New Jersey waiting for released American/Israeli hostage Edan Alexander to return home.
— Alma Gentil (@Chinoy200096633) June 19, 2025
Thank You President Donald Trump! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/a6YmcCqbIR
Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, had been held captive in Gaza since being captured in the massive October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel before being freed May 12 -- 584 days after being captured.
Welcome Home Edan!
— Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) June 19, 2025
Signs in Tenefly, NJ for American hostage Edan Alexander held captive by Hamas for 584 days.
He arrives back home today
He was released in May in a deal brokered by Trump Administration @fox5ny #israel #Edan #trump pic.twitter.com/McdEABbkVz
NBC News shared a video on X capturing Edan's arrival and celebration.
What a moment. Hundreds of people lined the streets of Tenafly, NJ to welcome home Edan Alexander - nearly 600 days after he was captured and held hostage by Hamas. “We’re all just so excited,” one woman tells me. Full coverage tonight on @NBCNewYork pic.twitter.com/4nfhXFy38t
— Adam Harding (@HardingReports) June 19, 2025
In another clip, we get a glimpse of Alexander appearing to wave at the crowds of supporters celebrating his return home.
Edan Alexander, freed American/Israeli hostage, returns home to Tenafly, New Jersey.@CBSNewYork @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/GdOV0F6qDq
— Ali Bauman (@AliBaumanTV) June 19, 2025
The Alexander family's rabbi, Yitzchak Gershovitz, told CBS News on hearing about the man's imminent homecoming, "I want to tell you, Edan, we love you and we are so happy you're back."
"This is our brother. Our son returns home and our hearts are full of joy and happiness. There's only one word, it's a miracle of God," he added about his return.
Following Alexander's release in May, heartwarming videos and pictures surfaced on X showing him embracing his family, and their faces say it all.
The happy reunion occurred at the Israel Defense Base before he was sent to a medical facility to undergo additional treatment. An Israeli official reportedly said Alexander was in poor condition, but now he can finally get some real care, and they said he was "smiling" that he was coming home, RedState reported.
We waited all day for this.
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) May 12, 2025
Edan Alexander hugs his parents for the first time 💛🥹 pic.twitter.com/CQWL1rzT3b
On Mother's Day, Hamas released a statement that Alexander would be freed.
"As part of the efforts made by the brotherly mediators to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days," a statement, translated into English from Arabic, from the terror organization said.
"The movement has shown a high level of positivity, and the Israeli soldier with dual American citizenship, [Edan] Alexander, will be released as part of the steps being taken toward a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip," the statement continued.
President Donald Trump later confirmed the news with his post on social media about Alexander's release:
I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully, this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!
Welcome home, Edan!
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