Israeli Hostage Soldier Edan Alexander Reunited With Family After 584 Days in Hamas Captivity

RE’IM, ISRAEL (VINnews) — Looking pale and frail but visibly relieved, Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander was reunited with his family Sunday at an Israeli army base near the Gaza border, ending 584 harrowing days in Hamas captivity.

The Israeli-American soldier was released as part of a negotiated agreement and returned to the Re’im military facility, where his family awaited with open arms. The emotional reunion marked the end of a nearly two-year ordeal that began when Alexander was taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel.

Following his release, Alexander was airlifted with his family in an Israeli Air Force helicopter from the base to Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv for medical evaluation and recovery.

During the flight, Alexander, unable to speak but eager to express his thoughts, wrote on a whiteboard: “Thank you President Trump!!! Am Yisrael Chai!!! Onward Golani 51,” a reference to his battalion in the Israel Defense Forces.