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Who is Edan Alexander, the last-living American hostage freed by Hamas? How many are still held in Gaza?
Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier from New Jersey, was released after 583 days in Hamas captivity following the October 7 attacks. His freedom marks a rare moment of hope in a long-running crisis, with 58 hostages still held in Gaza. His family's relief now fuels renewed pressure for more releases and international action read more
People hold a picture and a sign with a picture of the Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 12, 2025. File Image/Reuters
Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier captured during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, was released from captivity in Gaza this week after nearly 19 months in detention.
Alexander was handed over to Israeli authorities on Monday , with his family present shortly thereafter at a military base.
According to visuals released by Israeli media, he was visibly emotional as he embraced his mother, Yael, who said, 'How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried.'
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He was also reunited with his father, brother and sister before being flown via Israeli Air Force helicopter to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
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Hamas frees last US-Israeli hostage ahead of Trump's Middle East visit
Captured at the age of 19, Edan Alexander was among the first wave of individuals seized by Hamas when terrorists launched a surprise incursion across the Israeli border.
People carry posters with pictures of Edan Alexander, kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, as supporters of Israeli hostages take part in a protest and they demand the release of all hostages in the 555 day since the kidnapping, in Jerusalem, April 13, 2025. File Image/Reuters
He was serving as a soldier on a military base in southern Israel and had opted to remain on duty during the Jewish Sabbath.
He was one of 251 people taken hostage that day, an act that precipitated the full-scale conflict that has since devastated large parts of Gaza and led to thousands of deaths.
Who is Edan Alexander?
Born and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey — a suburb outside New York City — Alexander moved to Israel in 2022 after finishing high school. He enlisted in the Israeli military soon after his arrival.
His capture and prolonged captivity became a rallying point for hostage advocacy efforts in both Israel and the United States, particularly in his hometown, where weekly marches were held every Friday calling for the release of all hostages.
A video released by Hamas in November 2024, during the Thanksgiving weekend, showed Alexander appearing gaunt and emotionally distressed, pleading for assistance. While the footage was painful for the family to witness, they expressed relief that it confirmed he was still alive.
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Edan Alexander, who has been released from captivity by Hamas, after he had been kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, reacts as he reunites with his parents in Reim, southern Israel, before flying to Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025. GPO via Reuters
Other hostages who were later freed reported to the family that Alexander had lost a significant amount of weight but had shown resilience, even advocating for other detainees.
Notably, they said he defended a group of Thai workers also held hostage, telling his captors that those individuals were uninvolved in the conflict and should be released.
In April 2025, another video surfaced, this time showing Alexander in a dark room. His family believed he was being held within Hamas' underground tunnel network.
Shortly thereafter, Hamas claimed to have lost communication with the unit holding him after an Israeli airstrike allegedly targeted their location. Israeli officials did not issue a public response to this claim.
Despite several ceasefire efforts since the beginning of the war, Alexander was not included in previous hostage exchanges.
In January and February this year, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and returned the remains of eight others as part of a deal in which Israel freed nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, young male soldiers such as Alexander were excluded from those arrangements.
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Back in Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered in Hostage Square to celebrate Alexander's release. Among them were members of his extended family, wearing shirts emblazoned with his name. They erupted in cheers upon hearing the official confirmation from the military.
Relatives and friends of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander gather to watch the TV broadcast of his release from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025. File Image/AP
His grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, was overjoyed to see a recent photograph of him: 'He seemed like a man. He has really matured.' She noted that he even made a joke during his first phone call with his mother, a testament to his enduring spirit. 'He's got such a sense of humor,' she added.
Celebrations also broke out in Tenafly, New Jersey. Crowds filled the town square, waving Israeli flags and holding signs with Alexander's image. Residents who had marched weekly for the hostages watched the moment of his release unfold live on a large screen.
Why was Alexander finally released?
Hamas said Alexander's release was intended as a 'goodwill gesture' ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the region this week .
The group has long insisted that any comprehensive release of hostages still held in Gaza would only happen under terms involving a long-term ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, and the release of additional Palestinian prisoners — conditions the Israeli government continues to reject.
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Trump acknowledged the development in a social media post, stating, 'Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited both military pressure on Gaza and political coordination with the Trump administration for securing Alexander's freedom.
A photograph released by Israeli authorities showed Alexander aboard a military helicopter holding a handwritten sign: 'Thank you, President Trump.'
Adam Boehler, Trump's lead hostage negotiator, was closely involved in efforts to secure Alexander's release and shared an image of Alexander's mother on a flight to Israel on Monday.
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US Special envoy Steve Witkoff, also involved in the negotiations, was expected to arrive in Israel around the same time. Four-party talks involving Hamas, the United States, Qatar and Egypt played a crucial role in facilitating this outcome.
Qatari and Egyptian officials expressed hope that this could serve as the foundation for future negotiations aimed at freeing the remaining captives.
Alexander's family welcomed the end of their ordeal with immense relief. 'We received the greatest gift imaginable — news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza,' they said in a public statement.
Edan Alexander, who has been released from captivity by Hamas, after he had been kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, embraces his brother as he reunites with his family in Reim, southern Israel, before flying to Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025. GPO via Reuters
They also urged continued international efforts to free the remaining hostages, stating: 'Please don't stop. We hope our son's release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families.'
Despite the joy of one family, many others are still waiting for similar news. Among the critics of the current hostage policy is Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains in captivity.
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Speaking alongside other relatives of hostages, she urged the United States to help bring the ordeal to an end. Addressing Trump, she said: 'The Israeli people are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home.'
Who remains in captivity?
As of now, Israel reports that 58 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with only about 23 believed to be alive. The majority of the original 251 hostages taken in the October 2023 attack have either been freed in exchange deals or confirmed dead.
Humanitarian agencies and hostage advocacy groups have repeatedly called for renewed talks to secure the release of those still held, many of whom are reported to be in poor health.
Here are names of the 23 hostages still believed to held in Gaza, as seen on The Washington Post:
Matan Angrest, 22
Gali Berman, 27
Ziv Berman, 27
Elkana Bohbot, 36
Rom Braslavski, 21
Nimrod Cohen, 20
Ariel Cunio, 27
David Cunio, 34
Evyatar David, 24
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24
Maxim Herkin, 36
Eitan Horn, 38
Bipin Joshi - from Nepal
Segev Kalfon, 29
Bar Kupershtein, 24
Omri Miran, 48
Eitan Abraham Mor, 24
Tamir Nimrodi, 20
Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 24
Alon Ohel, 24
Avinatan Or, 32
Nattapong Pinta - believed to be the last Thai hostage alive.
Matan Zangauker, 25
Following Alexander's release, Israeli authorities said they would send a delegation to Qatar on Thursday to explore a new round of negotiations. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), approximately 500,000 people in the enclave face the risk of starvation, with a potential famine looming by September if conditions do not improve.
Despite the temporary pause in hostilities to enable Alexander's release, Israeli military activity resumed shortly afterward. Palestinian officials reported that three people were killed and several wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a shelter in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
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Another woman reportedly died, and others were injured when tank shells struck a school in northern Gaza that was housing displaced civilians.
Israel maintains that its campaign in Gaza will continue until all hostages are released and Hamas is militarily defeated. Netanyahu and intends to escalate operations in the territory.
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