NJ celebrates release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News on May 12, 2025

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Thousands of people across New Jersey and the nation celebrated the release of Tenafly native Edan Alexander on Monday after the 21-year-old American-Israeli man spent more than 19 months in Hamas captivity.

“For 19 excruciating months, we have all been hoping and praying alongside Edan’s family members for his safe release. With every day that Edan has been held hostage, the Alexander family has endured unimaginable pain, uncertainty and fear,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. “With Edan’s return home, their — and our — prayers have finally been answered.”

Hundreds gathered for a watch party in Tenafly, where residents have marched every week for Alexander’s release since he was captured in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel.

Alexander grew up in Bergen County and graduated from Tenafly High School before traveling to Israel and joining the country’s military. He was 19 years old when he was snatched from his post near the Gaza border during the Hamas attack.

After months of hoping and waiting, Monday brought a joyous scene in Tenafly, with residents cheering and watching on a giant screen as Alexander was pictured standing without assistance next to a Red Cross worker before his journey back into Israel.

The celebration was set up by Temple Sinai of Bergen County, after Hamas announced plans to release Alexander. It featured Israeli music and numerous attendees holding Alexander’s picture.

“He is honestly the strongest kid that I know, the strongest person that I know. So resilient throughout all of this,” Alexander’s friend Michael Leschner told WCBS. “We feel so honored and so relieved finally, like, this has just been such a long time coming and we love Edan so much.”

Alexander was believed to be the last living American citizen held by Hamas. During his time in captivity, the group forced Alexander to film a terrifying hostage video, in which he pleaded for help from President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The fear is at its peak, and we are dying a thousand times every day that passes, and no one feels for us,” Alexander said in the video.

Israel says 58 hostages remain in Gaza, an estimated 23 of whom are still alive. Hamas said it released Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward the U.S. government, and Israel did nothing in exchange for the release.

Trump departed Monday for his first Middle East tour during his second term. He is scheduled to visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but not Israel.

Alexander “is coming home to his parents, which is really great news,” Trump said Monday at the White House.

Alexander’s parents, Adi and Yael, met him Monday at Israel’s Re’im army base. They were expected to travel from there to a hospital in Tel Aviv.

“Like everyone here in Jersey, I’m overwhelmed with emotion and joy,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., whose district includes Tenafly, said in a statement. “We will not rest until every last hostage is reunited with their families and loved ones.”

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