Good News: Last Living American Hamas Hostage Released
Edan Alexander is in Israel reunited with his parents — a joyful end to a horrific time in captivity.
Edan Alexander was 19 years old when he was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. On that fateful day, Alexander was serving with the Israel Defense Forces during a gap year from education. He was born in Israel but grew up in America (New Jersey, to be exact) and has a deep love for both nations.
Alexander was held hostage for 584 days. His poor family waited as feckless President Joe Biden allowed him and several others to stay in captivity. Edan’s family worked without rest for his release. They met with Donald Trump and other world leaders to keep his name in the press and help get him home.
On Monday, Alexander’s mom got the best Mother’s Day news she had ever received. Her son was free and coming home. President Trump flew Edan’s parents, Yael and Adi Alexander, to Israel to greet him after his release into the custody of the Red Cross.
A photograph was snapped of Edan Alexander thanking Trump for his efforts in securing his release, as well as a shoutout to his battalion, the Golani 51.
584 DAYS HELD HOSTAGE BY HAMAS — AMERICAN EDAN ALEXANDER IS FREE! 🇺🇸🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/3rvVqfPfdI
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 12, 2025
His mother and father got to hold him safe in their arms once again.
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
This is a joyful end to a horrific time in captivity. Alexander’s release follows other interesting gestures happening with other not-so-friendly groups in the region. For example, the Houthis in Yemen recently declared that they will no longer attack American ships, and Qatar is purportedly gifting the United States a newer Air Force One. Saudi Arabia announced major investments in the U.S.
Regarding the larger geopolitical gestures being made vis-à-vis Iran’s proxies, political pundit Ben Shapiro suspects that the Iranian mullahs are hoping to get the U.S. to back away from helping Israel by giving us no extraneous reason to interfere in the peace negotiations.
For now, though, it’s worth remembering that Hamas may have released the last living American hostage, but it’s still holding the bodies of four Americans: Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai, Itay Chen, and Omer Neutra. Furthermore, Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. The terrorists are afraid of losing their last remaining bargaining chips — the hostages.
We rejoice with the Alexanders that their son is now free. And we continue to pray for the release of those remaining in captivity.
