BREAKING: Edan Alexander has returned home after 584 days in Hamas captivity 

Edan Alexander has crossed over into Israel:

Just moments ago, IDF soldier and released hostage Edan Alexander crossed the border back into Israeli territory, escorted by IDF forces. He is currently en route to the initial reception point in the Gaza border region, where he is expected to reunite with his family.

On May 12, 2025, Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, 21, was freed after 584 days in Hamas captivity, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Captured during the October 7, 2023, attacks while serving in an elite IDF infantry unit near Gaza, Alexander was handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and subsequently transferred to IDF forces at the Kissufim crossing. He is now being escorted by an elite IDF unit to Israel, where he will undergo initial medical evaluations and reunite with his family at the Re’im military base before being airlifted to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.

Red Cross personnel assisted Alexander, who struggled to walk, likely due to prolonged confinement in tunnels with limited mobility. The handover, confirmed by Israeli officials at 18:41 IDT, followed a “safe corridor” arrangement, though Israel has not committed to a ceasefire. The IDF credits relentless military pressure for securing his release, while Hamas framed the move as a goodwill gesture ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East visit on May 13, 2025. Trump called the development “great news.” Of the 251 hostages taken in 2023, 59 remain in Gaza, with up to 24 believed alive.

The IDF has requested public sensitivity, urging respect for Alexander’s and his family’s privacy, with no public handover planned and footage release subject to family consent. As Alexander’s family awaits his arrival, the nation salutes his return while pressing for the release of remaining hostages.