The Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas has released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after 584 days of captivity, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Monday afternoon.
Edan, who turned 21 in captivity, appeared frail upon his release. “Edan Alexander is in Israeli territory, and will reunite with his mother and sister shortly,” the Jerusalem Post reported. “Alexander could stand on his feet, but needed assistance to walk from Red Cross medics.”
The IDF confirmed receiving Edan shortly after Hamas terrorists handed him over to the Red Cross at a location in southern Gaza. He “is currently being accompanied by IDF special forces on his return to Israeli territory, where he will undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family,” the military said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his way home to the State of Israel,” the IDF statement added.
The Israeli news website Ynetnews reported the details of Edan’s release:
Alexander, an Israeli-American IDF soldier, was released by Hamas and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross before joining Israeli troops.Alexander is currently en route to Israeli territory through the Kissufim crossing escorted by IDF special forces. He will undergo an initial medical evaluation upon arrival and is expected to reunite with family shortly thereafter. (…)Hamas’ armed wing confirmed it had released Alexander, 21, who was taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel. His handover marks the first release of a hostage since the collapse of a ceasefire in March.
Edan’s family was flown by the Israeli Air Force to receive him at a base close to Gaza. Edan, who grew up in New Jersey, was serving with the IDF when Hamas terrorists captured him on October 7, 2023.
“Adi Alexander, the father of hostage soldier Edan Alexander, has been airlifted by an Israeli Air Force helicopter from Ben Gurion Airport to the Re’im base in southern Israel, shortly after arriving in the country from the US, a defense official says,” The Times of Israel reported. “Alexander is currently being escorted out of the Gaza Strip by the IDF and brought to the IDF facility near Re’im for an initial checkup and to meet with his family.”
President Donald Trump, on Sunday, announced the impending release of the Israeli-American hostage by the terrorist group Hamas. Edan is believed to be the last living U.S. citizen in Hamas captivity. Only 20 out of 58 remaining hostages in Gaza are thought to be alive.
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