After enduring 584 days in Hamas captivity, American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander finally returned home.
In dramatic development that coincides with US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit, the 21-year-old lone soldier, who was kidnapped from his military base during the October 7 attacks, was released in a carefully orchestrated operation beginning around 6:30 p.m. Monday from Khan Younis, according to official statements from Hamas's military wing and IDF sources.
Edan's parents landed at Ben Gurion International Airport Monday afternoon. A security source reported that an air force helicopter carrying Yael, Edan's mother, and several other individuals took off from Ben Gurion Airport and made its way to the intake facility near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel, where the hostage is expected to arrive after connecting with IDF forces in the Gaza Strip.
Edan, a 21-year-old Golani Brigade fighter who was kidnapped from an IDF base in the Gaza border region, is an American citizen who grew up in New Jersey. On October 7, he volunteered to stay with his friends at the base. His release comes as a gesture from Hamas for US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East – in an agreement made without the involvement of the Israeli government.
The Latest:
8:04 p.m.: IDF spokesperson: Edan Alexander is on Israeli soil.
7:38 p.m.: IDF spokesperson says Edan has now been transferred to IDF forces in the Gaza Strip.
He is currently being escorted by an elite IDF unit on his way back to Israel, where he will undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family members.
7:29 p.m.: Edan Alexander's father tells N12 News, "It's very emotional, we couldn't sleep last night. I was connected to all the news channels like an IV drip. He's handsome. A bit pale, but that's my child."
7:10 p.m.: The Alexander family receives updates on Edan's handover to the Red Cross. Edan's grandmother, Varda, said: "He is okay. Thank God."
Video: Credit: Hostages and Missing Families Forum
6:55 p.m.: IDF spokesperson: According to the Red Cross, the hostage has been transferred to their custody and they are making their way to IDF forces in the Gaza Strip.
6:31 p.m.: Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander has been handed over to the Red Cross.
6:16 p.m.: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Israel's Hostages and Missing Persons Coordinator Gal Hirsch are on their way to the facility in Re'im, near the Gaza border, to receive Edan.
6:13 p.m.: According to reports in Arab media, Edan Alexander has been handed over to the Red Cross.
5:58 p.m.: According to a security source, the Red Cross is on its way to the handover point in southern Gaza.
