Edan Alexander (born December 29, 2003) is an American-Israeli soldier and former prisoner of war who became the last known living American citizen held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza war hostage crisis. His captivity and eventual release after 584 days received extensive international media coverage and political attention. His abduction during the October 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 the U.S. government and was marked by meetings with President Donald Trump at the White 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 of Tenafly, New Jersey, with hundreds gathering to celebrate his return.
Alexander was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 29, 2003, to Israeli 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 to Israel in 2022. He joined Garin Tzabar, a program of the Israel Scouts, and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces.[4] Alexander serves in the Golani Brigade of the Infantry Corps.[5]
Capture and captivity
During the October 7 attacks on Israel, Hamas militants seized Alexander from his military base. He had volunteered to stay there over the Jewish Sabbath.[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 displaced Palestinians. 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 the food 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 to torture during interrogations.[9] According to Thai 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 a Hamas underground tunnel with his hands and feet bound.[11] Alexander was handcuffed, 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, the Qassam Brigades, said Hamas had lost contact with the group holding Alexander.[13]
Release
In May 2025, Alexander entered Israel from Gaza in a deal made directly between Hamas and the United 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 a Star of David necklace by Steve 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 State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam 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. Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish New 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 visited the grave of Menachem 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]
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