According to the family, “we hope this starts negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families.”
On Sunday, President Donald Trump declared that Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American national who had been held captive by Hamas since October 2023, was free and heading back to his family.
After almost 600 days of captivity, the news was released on Mother’s Day.
“Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The move by Hamas was characterized as “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.” He thanked those who helped secure Alexander’s release.
Trump went on to say he hoped this move would be “the first of those final steps necessary” to bring the Israel-Hamas conflict to a conclusion.
As reported by CNN, Al-Hayya stated, “The movement affirms its readiness to immediately start intensive negotiations, and make serious efforts to reach a final agreement to stop the war.
Exchange prisoners in an agreed manner, and manage the Gaza Strip by an independent professional body.”
Edan Alexander grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, after being born in Tel Aviv, Israel. Haaretz reported that he enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after graduating from high school.
Alexander was sent to a modest military outpost close to the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, the day when Hamas started its surprise attack on Israel.
Yael Alexander, his mother, stated that she had last spoken to her son early that morning. He had joked with her about security limitations and holiday feasts over a video chat the night before.
She remembered that “he was cute and handsome, playing with his hair the whole time.” The Alexander family released a statement after learning of his release, describing it as “the greatest gift imaginable.”
According to Northjersey.com, the family stated, “We received the best gift possible today on Mother’s Day—the news that our beautiful son Edan is coming home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza.”
President Trump’s aide and senior adviser, Steve Witkoff, was also credited with helping to secure the release.
In the hopes that Edan’s homecoming would aid start negotiations for the safe return of the remaining 58 hostages who are still thought to be in Hamas’ custody.
The Alexander family also urged Israeli negotiators to keep up the pressure.