TENAFLY, New Jersey − Edan Alexander's neighbors gathered at a city park on May 12 to watch as his family arrived in Israel for New Jersey native's long-awaited release by Hamas. News of Alexander's release broke around 11:30 a.

President Donald Trump confirmed that Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, who has been held captive in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, would return home.

Newly freed Israeli-American Edan Alexander hopes to return to New Jersey soon with his family — as the 21-year-old recently enjoyed a cold beer for the first time since he was released by Hamas.

For the first time since the release Monday from Gaza of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander's by the militant group Hamas, his family spoke publicly about what their emotional reunion was like, and what their son went through.

The parents of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who was freed Monday after being held captive by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, said they always maintained hope he'd be released.

Yael and Adi Alexander, parents of released hostage Edan Alexander, give a statement to reporters at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Hospital, a day after he was released home after 584 days in Hamas captivity.They are surrounded by their other two children and other family members,