Latest news with #AdiAlexander
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Edan Alexander's family describes his "battle between hope and despair" leading up to release
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity 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. In a news conference Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where her son is recovering, Yael Alexander said the moment she embraced him "time stood still," adding, "My heartbeat returned in sync with his." However, she also shared that during his more than 580 days in captivity, "Every minute was a battle between hope and despair." She said the reunion was also met with the pain of learning that her son faced "daily fear, hunger, the lack of water and appalling sanitary conditions." While being held in underground tunnels, Edan Alexander heard deafening explosions, the whistles of missiles, and felt the earth shaking, she said. Read more: Celebration in Edan Alexander's New Jersey hometown for his release Alexanders call for the release of the remaining hostages At the news conference, Yael Alexander said it was important to bring home the remaining hostages. The extended Alexander family held up photos of those still being held captive. Yael and her husband, Adi Alexander, thanked President Trump, who Edan Alexander spoke with by phone on Monday. Neither of them thanked Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however. "Soon, Edan will be home in the United States, in New Jersey, watching his little brother play basketball, reuniting with his friends in New Jersey. He's 21 now, and those happy kinds may include a beer, too, but we will never forget the first beer he had on the rooftop of this very building since his release," Adi Alexander said. Edan Alexander takes to social media for first time Edan Alexander on Tuesday created his first Instagram post of that moment, titling it, "Home sweet home." He was wearing a Star of David, a necklace given to him by Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. It belonged to Witkoff's late son, Andrew. Witkoff's son, Alex, posted on X that Edan is "a true warrior and the necklace is a powerful reminder of his strength, survival, and pride in his Jewish heritage." It is unclear when Alexander will return to the U.S. Alexander grew up in New Jersey before moving to Israel. He was serving in the Israeli military on Oct. 7, 2023, when he was abducted during Hamas' assault on Israel.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Edan Alexander's family describes his "battle between hope and despair" leading up to release by Hamas
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity For the first time since American-Israeli Edan Alexander's release by Hamas, his family is speaking publicly about what their emotional reunion was like, and what their son went through. Speaking Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where her son is recovering, Yael Alexander said the moment she embraced him "time stood still," adding, "My heartbeat returned in sync with his." However, she also shared that during his more than 580 days in captivity, "Every minute was a battle between hope and despair." She said the reunion was also met with the pain of learning that her son faced "daily fear, hunger, the lack of water and appalling sanitary conditions." She says while being held in underground tunnels, Edan Alexander heard deafening explosions, the whistles of missiles, and the earth shaking. Read more: Celebration in Edan Alexander's New Jersey hometown for his release Alexanders call for the release of the remaining hostages Yael Alexander said it's important to bring home the remaining hostages who still live with the terror daily. The extended Alexander family stood alongside his parents, holding photos of those still being held captive. Yael and her husband, Adi Alexander, thanked President Trump, who Edan Alexander spoke with by phone on Monday. Neither of them thanked Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Soon, Edan will be home in the United States, in New Jersey, watching his little brother play basketball, reuniting with his friends in New Jersey. He's 21 now, and those happy kinds may include a beer, too, but we will never forget the first beer he had on the rooftop of this very building since his release," Adi Alexander said. Edan Alexander takes to social media for first time Edan Alexander on Tuesday created his first Instagram post of that moment, titling it, "Home sweet home." He was wearing a Star of David, a necklace given to him by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. It belonged to Witkoff's late son, Andrew. Witkoff's son, Alex, posted on X, Edan is "a true warrior and the necklace is a powerful reminder of his strength, survival, and pride in his Jewish heritage." It is unclear when Edan Alexander will return to the U.S.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freed US hostage Edan Alexander's parents speak out in exclusive ABC News interview: 'It finally happened'
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. "We always believed that this moment will come, always," his father, Adi Alexander, told ABC News in an exclusive interview Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where their son is being treated. "Hope is mandatory. It finally happened." Of their reunion, he said, "To be able to hug him again" was "unbelievable." MORE: American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander freed from Hamas captivity, in IDF custody Edan Alexander's mom, Yael Alexander, said they're now savoring the simple moments. "Just to chill with Edan, like, next to me, and to be on my iPhone and to connect with all our friends that sending messages, like, nonstop, the simple things. It's the blessing, you know, just to be with him, next to him," she said. Edan Alexander, now 21, is from New Jersey and moved to Israel at the age of 18. He was 19 years old and serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Adi Alexander said their nightmare as parents drove them to go "knocking on every door, on the president's door, the previous one, this one, and finally, that was successful. So we were grateful." Edan Alexander's release came after successful negotiations between the U.S. and Hamas. His release is being viewed as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration and a potential opening to jumpstart talks surrounding the broader conflict, U.S. officials told ABC News. Alexander was the last living American citizen still believed to be held by Hamas. The terror group is believed to be holding the bodies of four dead American hostages, according to U.S. officials. Asked how Edan is doing, his parents told ABC News "he needs time" and they'll give him whatever time he needs to recover. Just before their interview with ABC News, Yael and Adi Alexander gave a statement to reporters at the hospital. Adi Alexander said his son would "soon" be returning home to New Jersey and would be able to do things like enjoy a beer and watch his brother play basketball. He said the first beer they shared since his release was on the hospital roof, calling it a moment he would cherish forever. Adi Alexander said their family would "finally be able to heal," but he also called for all of the remaining hostages to be released. Fifty-seven hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive. Adi Alexander also praised President Donald Trump's team, and especially Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, for working "tirelessly" to get Edan home. Freed US hostage Edan Alexander's parents speak out in exclusive ABC News interview: 'It finally happened' originally appeared on
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freed US hostage Edan Alexander's parents speak out in exclusive ABC News interview: 'It finally happened'
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. "We always believed that this moment will come, always," his father, Adi Alexander, told ABC News in an exclusive interview Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where their son is being treated. "Hope is mandatory. It finally happened." Of their reunion, he said, "To be able to hug him again" was "unbelievable." MORE: American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander freed from Hamas captivity, in IDF custody Edan Alexander's mom, Yael Alexander, said they're now savoring the simple moments. "Just to chill with Edan, like, next to me, and to be on my iPhone and to connect with all our friends that sending messages, like, nonstop, the simple things. It's the blessing, you know, just to be with him, next to him," she said. Edan Alexander, now 21, is from New Jersey and moved to Israel at the age of 18. He was 19 years old and serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Adi Alexander said their nightmare as parents drove them to go "knocking on every door, on the president's door, the previous one, this one, and finally, that was successful. So we were grateful." Edan Alexander's release came after successful negotiations between the U.S. and Hamas. His release is being viewed as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration and a potential opening to jumpstart talks surrounding the broader conflict, U.S. officials told ABC News. Alexander was the last living American citizen still believed to be held by Hamas. The terror group is believed to be holding the bodies of four dead American hostages, according to U.S. officials. Asked how Edan is doing, his parents told ABC News "he needs time" and they'll give him whatever time he needs to recover. Just before their interview with ABC News, Yael and Adi Alexander gave a statement to reporters at the hospital. Adi Alexander said his son would "soon" be returning home to New Jersey and would be able to do things like enjoy a beer and watch his brother play basketball. He said the first beer they shared since his release was on the hospital roof, calling it a moment he would cherish forever. Adi Alexander said their family would "finally be able to heal," but he also called for all of the remaining hostages to be released. Fifty-seven hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive. Adi Alexander also praised President Donald Trump's team, and especially Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, for working "tirelessly" to get Edan home. Freed US hostage Edan Alexander's parents speak out in exclusive ABC News interview: 'It finally happened' originally appeared on
13-05-2025
- Politics
Freed US hostage Edan Alexander's parents speak out in exclusive ABC News interview: 'It finally happened'
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. "We always believed that this moment will come, always," his father, Adi Alexander, told ABC News in an exclusive interview Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where their son is being treated. "Hope is mandatory. It finally happened." Of their reunion, he said, "To be able to hug him again" was "unbelievable." Edan Alexander's mom, Yael Alexander, said they're now savoring the simple moments. "Just to chill with Edan, like, next to me, and to be on my iPhone and to connect with all our friends that sending messages, like, nonstop, the simple things. It's the blessing, you know, just to be with him, next to him," she said. Edan Alexander, now 21, is from New Jersey and moved to Israel at the age of 18. He was 19 years old and serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Adi Alexander said their nightmare as parents drove them to go "knocking on every door, on the president's door, the previous one, this one, and finally, that was successful. So we were grateful." Edan Alexander's release came after successful negotiations between the U.S. and Hamas. His release is being viewed as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration and a potential opening to jumpstart talks surrounding the broader conflict, U.S. officials told ABC News. Alexander was the last living American citizen still believed to be held by Hamas. The terror group is believed to be holding the bodies of four dead American hostages, according to U.S. officials. Asked how Edan is doing, his parents told ABC News "he needs time" and they'll give him whatever time he needs to recover. Just before their interview with ABC News, Yael and Adi Alexander gave a statement to reporters at the hospital. Adi Alexander said his son would "soon" be returning home to New Jersey and would be able to do things like enjoy a beer and watch his brother play basketball. He said the first beer they shared since his release was on the hospital roof, calling it a moment he would cherish forever. Adi Alexander said their family would "finally be able to heal," but he also called for all of the remaining hostages to be released. Fifty-seven hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 who are believed to be alive.
