LIVEBLOG: 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.
Parents of kidnapped soldier land at Ben Gurion International Airport. Israel expects Edan’s release by evening.
"Edan Alexander, American hostage thought dead, to be released by Hamas. Great news!" Trump wrote.
The entire town of Tenafly, New Jersey, is ready to watch the live release of their own resident, Edan Alexander, who has been held in captivity for nearly 600 days.
The terror organization announced Monday that members of its leadership council in Qatar held talks with Kamal Kharazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council for Foreign Relations.
In a video released during his captivity, the lone soldier who had been taken captive on Oct. 7 said, “To Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, every day that passes, the pain inside grows, I miss you so much, every day, I pray to see you again soon”
The terrorist organization did not specify the time of release of the hostage, or whether it will take place without a public ceremony. Trump envoy Witkoff is set to arrive in Israel to try to expand the release deal. If a long-term ceasefire agreement is reached, Trump may visit Israel before Saudi Arabia.
An Israeli source stated Monday morning, "Hamas receives nothing in return for Edan's release, and there is no ceasefire." Alexander, an Israeli-American who made aliyah, was taken captive on Oct. 7.
"He feels us from afar," Yael Alexander, mother of captive soldier Edan Alexander, said in February as she marked 500 days since October 7.
The terrorist organization announced it will release abducted soldier Edan Alexander, who holds US citizenship, in what it called a gesture to President Donald Trump ahead of his visit to the Middle East on Tuesday.
