Latest news with #YaelAlexander
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parents of Israeli-American hostage returned from Gaza mark a week of freedom
For two days after Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander was released from 19 months of captivity from Gaza, he couldn't eat anything. Then, his mother, Yael Alexander, put a burger and fries in front of him, and Edan dove in. It was one of many dizzying surprises his family has experienced since learning eight days ago that he would be freed after more than a year and a half in captivity in the Gaza Strip. (AP Video: Ami Bentov)
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.
News24
13-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Hugs and kisses as Israel-US hostage Edan Alexander is freed: ‘We were so worried'
Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander was freed on Monday. There was a brief pause in the fighting to facilitate his release. Israeli strikes killed three people when fighting resumed. An Israeli-American hostage was released from 19 months of captivity in Gaza during a brief pause in fighting on Monday and reunited with his family, but Israeli strikes on the battered enclave soon resumed. Israel's military received Edan Alexander, 21, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, which facilitated his transfer from Palestinian militant group Hamas. He was taken to an Israeli military facility and joined by his family. Video showed that his mother, Yael Alexander, cried as she hugged him, saying: 'How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried.' Alexander kissed and embraced his father, brother and sister as well. An Israeli Air Force helicopter then took Alexander and his family to a hospital where he was to receive treatment. Alexander was the last living American held by Hamas and Israel's Channel 12 said his condition was 'low', without citing a source. In photos provided by Israel, he looked pale but in good spirits. Fighting halted at 12:00 in Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pause its operations to allow for the hostage release. Palestinian health officials reported Israeli tank shelling and an air attack after the hostage handover, and there was no deal on a wider truce or hostage releases as monitors warned of famine in the devastated enclave. After Israeli fire resumed, authorities in Gaza said an air strike killed three people and wounded several others at a shelter housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. A woman was killed and several other people wounded when tank shells hit a school housing displaced families in the Tuffah neighbourhood in the north of Gaza. Hamas said it freed Alexander as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the region this week. 'Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!' Trump wrote on social media earlier on Monday. READ | Two Israel soldiers killed amid 'fierce fighting' with Hamas in Gaza Netanyahu said Alexander's release came thanks to Israel's military pressure in Gaza and political pressure by Trump. In a photo taken on the military helicopter and released by Israel, Alexander held a sign reading: 'Thank you, president Trump.' Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire and that plans to intensify military action in Gaza continued. 'Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind,' Netanyahu's office said. After growing up in New Jersey, Alexander, who has dual citizenship, moved to Israel and was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured in Hamas' 2023 attack. #UPDATE Palestinian militant group Hamas said its armed wing handed over a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza since October 2023 ahead of a regional visit by US President Donald Trump — AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 12, 2025 Social media video on Monday showed people dancing in the square of his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, after word of his release. The release, after four-way talks between Hamas, the US, Egypt and Qatar, could open the way to freeing the remaining 58 hostages in the Gaza Strip, 19 months after Hamas' attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Qatar and Egypt said Alexander's release was an encouraging step toward new truce talks. Israel will send a delegation to Qatar on Thursday to discuss a new proposal aimed at securing further hostage releases, Netanyahu's office said. Before Alexander's release, Gaza health authorities said an Israeli strike killed at least 15 people sheltering at a school on Monday. Israel's military said it targeted Hamas fighters there who were preparing an attack. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, reported on Monday that half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation and there is a critical risk of famine by September. Trump is due to visit Gulf states on a trip that does not include Israel but special envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped arrange Alexander's release, was expected in Israel on Monday. Alexander's family thanked Trump and Witkoff, saying they hoped the release would hasten the freeing of the remaining hostages. 'We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop,' they said. Israel's government has drawn criticism over the deal to free Alexander, which laid bare the priority given to hostages able to rely on the support of a foreign government. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among 21 hostages still believed to be alive, said Netanyahu was choosing his political survival over ending the war. Addressing Trump in a statement she read with other hostage families, she said: 'The Israeli people are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home.' A ceasefire in late January halted fighting in Gaza for two months and allowed the exchange of 38 hostages for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails. Israel resumed its military campaign in March. It has since extended its control of the territory and blocked off aid, leaving its two million people increasingly short of food. Israeli forces invaded Gaza after a Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1 200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, over 52 000 Palestinians have been killed, Palestinian authorities say, and large swathes of the heavily built-up enclave have been laid to waste.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hamas frees Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after 19 months in Gaza
Hamas released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander after 19 months in captivity, triggering hopes for more hostage negotiations. Fighting in Gaza briefly paused for his release but quickly resumed, with deadly air strikes reported on shelters for displaced families. The hostage deal, seen as influenced by US political pressure, has sparked debate in Israel over unequal treatment and the ongoing war. JERUSALEM, May 13 — An Israeli-American hostage was released from 19 months of captivity in Gaza during a brief pause in fighting on Monday and reunited with his family, but Israeli strikes on the battered enclave soon resumed. Israel's military received Edan Alexander, 21, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, which facilitated his transfer from Palestinian militant group Hamas. He was taken to an Israeli military facility and joined by his family. Video showed his mother, Yael Alexander, crying as she hugged him, saying: 'How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried.' Alexander kissed and embraced his father, brother and sister as well. An Israeli Air Force helicopter then flew Alexander and his family to a hospital for treatment. Alexander was the last living American held by Hamas, and Israel's Channel 12 said his condition was 'low', without citing a source. In photos released by Israel, he appeared pale but in good spirits. Fighting halted at midday in Gaza after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pause operations to allow the hostage's release. Palestinian health officials reported Israeli tank shelling and an air strike after the handover, and there was no agreement on a wider truce or additional hostage releases, as monitors warned of famine in the devastated enclave. After Israeli fire resumed, authorities in Gaza said an air strike killed three people and wounded several others at a shelter housing displaced families in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. A woman was killed and several others wounded when tank shells hit a school sheltering displaced families in the Tuffah neighbourhood in northern Gaza. Hamas said it freed Alexander as a goodwill gesture to US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the region this week. 'Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!' Trump wrote on social media earlier on Monday. Netanyahu said Alexander's release came thanks to Israeli military pressure in Gaza and political pressure by Trump. In a photo taken on the military helicopter and released by Israel, Alexander held a sign reading: 'Thank you, President Trump.' Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire and that Israel will intensify military action in Gaza. 'Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind,' his office said. After growing up in New Jersey, Alexander, who has dual citizenship, moved to Israel and was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured during Hamas' October 2023 attack. Social media footage on Monday showed people dancing in the square of his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, after news of his release. The release, which followed four-way talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar, could pave the way for the freedom of the remaining 58 hostages still held in Gaza, 19 months after Hamas' attack on Israel. Qatar and Egypt called Alexander's release an encouraging step towards new truce talks. Israel will send a delegation to Qatar on Thursday to discuss a new proposal for more hostage releases, Netanyahu's office said. Earlier on Monday, Gaza health authorities said an Israeli strike killed at least 15 people sheltering at a school. The Israeli military said it targeted Hamas fighters preparing an attack. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, reported that half a million people in Gaza face starvation and there is a critical risk of famine by September. 'Bring them all home' Trump is expected to visit Gulf states this week, though not Israel, while his special envoy Steve Witkoff – who helped arrange Alexander's release – was due in Israel on Monday. Alexander's family thanked Trump and Witkoff, expressing hope that his release would speed up efforts to free the remaining hostages. 'We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop,' they said. Israel's government has faced criticism over the deal, which some say highlights the priority given to hostages with the backing of a foreign government. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among 21 hostages still believed to be alive, accused Netanyahu of prioritising his political survival over ending the war. Addressing Trump in a statement with other hostage families, she said: 'The Israeli people are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home.' A ceasefire in late January had paused fighting for two months, allowing the exchange of 38 hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Israel resumed its military campaign in March. Since then, it has expanded control across the territory and restricted humanitarian aid, leaving the enclave's 2 million residents increasingly short of food. Israeli forces invaded Gaza after Hamas' assault on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Since then, over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Palestinian authorities, and vast areas of Gaza have been reduced to rubble. — Reuters
