American-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander was recently released from Hamas captivity, after being held hostage for a year and a half.
By Rachel Avraham
American-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander was recently released from Hamas captivity, after being held hostage for a year and a half. His first testimony has painted a grim picture regarding his time in Hamas captivity. Edan described being tied hand and foot inside a cage, deprived of daylight, and suffering from extreme hunger in a Hamas-controlled tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, Arutz Sheva reported.
As a result of the prolonged restraint, he suffered significant weakness in his legs and struggled to walk upon his release, Israel Hayom added. According to the report, Red Cross personnel had to assist him into the vehicle during his transfer.
Israel Hayom reported that Edan was tortured in Hamas interrogation sessions, which lasted for weeks. According to a report by public broadcaster Kan, the Israeli-American was referred to by his Hamas captors as “the American.”
According to Arutz Sheva, his grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, reflected emotionally: “Today is the second Passover, for those who could not celebrate Passover. Edan is celebrating Passover today, he is a free man.” His father, Adi, having just landed in Israel, said, “I saw the picture. He looks handsome, pale, and thin. That’s my boy. The first thing I will do is hug him.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Alexander’s return, crediting both Israeli military action and international diplomacy: “This is a very emotional moment. This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and diplomatic efforts, particularly by President Trump.” He added that President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Israel during a phone call earlier in the day, Arutz Sheva reported.
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement: “Like everyone here in Jersey, I’m overwhelmed with emotion and joy. It’s hard to believe. After being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, and enduring 584 days of relentless torture and suffering, 21-year-old Edan Alexander — my constituent from Tenafly, NJ — is finally coming home.”
According to him, “Edan is an all-American kid who could have been anyone’s son. Through it all, the Alexander family never gave up hope — and neither did we. From traveling to Qatar and Egypt to the UAE and Israel, to pushing the Administration at every level, with the leadership of his parents, we fought tirelessly to bring him back home. In America and Jersey, we never leave anyone behind.”
The respectable Congressman added: “I’m deeply grateful to the negotiators and everyone who helped make today possible. But, we cannot forget the suffering Edan endured or the barbaric attack against Israel on October 7, where Hamas kidnapped, raped, and murdered more than a thousand innocent civilians, including dozens of Americans.”
The congressman concluded: “This war is not over until all the hostages are released and Israel’s security is guaranteed. That includes the return of the remains of the four Americans who were brutally murdered at the hands of Hamas — Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, and Judi Weinstein Haggai. We will not rest until every last hostage is reunited with their families and loved ones.”
The Anti-Defamation League also released a statement: “Edan Alexander is free at last. Shortly after Hamas began its attack on October 7, 2023, Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli from Tenafly, New Jersey, was able to speak to his mother and tell her he was alright. Just half an hour later, she couldn’t reach him. Edan’s family heard nothing from him for over a year and a half, except for the cruel propaganda videos released by the terrorists holding Edan hostage. After 584 days of agony, torture, and darkness – Edan has finally reunited with his family. Edan is the first hostage to be released in 79 days. 58 hostages remain in captivity and they cannot afford to wait any longer. We must bring them all home, now.”
Photo from FRANCE 24 English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THZmKSK6NpU
