The family of soldier Edan Alexander, who was released from Hamas captivity on Monday after 584 days, announced Tuesday morning that Alexander will not fly to Qatar to meet with US President Donald Trump as previously planned. His complex medical condition requires him to remain under close supervision at the hospital. The family emphasized they remain in constant contact with the American administration.
I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many. We also had the opportunity to speak with @POTUS, whose leadership made this possible. We remain… pic.twitter.com/9rninnXSJy
— Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast) May 13, 2025
"I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many. We also had the opportunity to speak with @POTUS, whose leadership made this possible. We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home." Witkoff wrote on X.
Alexander, a lone soldier from New Jersey, was abducted from the Kisufim outpost after volunteering to cover a Shabbat shift at the base on Oct. 7. At the end of November 2024, his family received a sign of life when the terrorist organization Hamas released a video of him.
While Alexander couldn't travel, Trump's Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, visited him personally. During their meeting, Alexander spoke directly with Trump in a phone conversation. "We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home," Witkoff wrote on X. Following his visit with Alexander, Witkoff made an appearance at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv where he assured the public, "We are working on releasing everyone."
The family explained that Alexander's medical situation prevents him from flying to Qatar on Wednesday as originally scheduled. Nevertheless, they indicated that Alexander will likely speak with Trump by phone again and meet with him at the White House when his condition improves.
Alexander had already expressed his gratitude to Trump through a message written on an erasable board in the helicopter that transported him after his release. His message read, "Thank you very much President Trump," followed by "Am Israel Chai" and "Heida Golani 51" in honor of his military unit.
Video: Steve Witkoff visits Hostage Square / Credit: Paz Bar
Upon his return, Alexander shared with his family the details of his ordeal. He revealed that on October 7, he single-handedly fought against 30 attackers before being captured. He described enduring severe torture and prolonged interrogations during his captivity. According to testimonies, his captors kept him in a cage with his hands and feet shackled for an extended period, which resulted in significant weakness in his legs that made walking difficult on the day of his release.
Video: Special Envoy for Hostage Response at the Hostages Square / Credit: Paz Bar
Reports from Kan 11 News indicate Alexander was held in southern Gaza alongside other hostages, including Matan Zangauker. They were kept in a tunnel without natural light, where they experienced serious food shortages. The report stated that Alexander only began receiving adequate food in recent months. In the weeks preceding his release, his captors had taken to referring to him as "the American."
