JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a scene of unadulterated joy which took place this evening, Hamas hostage Idan Alexander finally met up with his parents and siblings. The intensely moving moment was captured by the IDF staff who accompanied Idan to the meeting with his parents.
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Idan’s grandmother Varda Ben Baruch said that his release on Pesach Sheni is a renewed Pesach – for those who did not get out at the first release of hostages, a special “second chance” at freedom.
לבכות מהתרגשות!!! הרגע שמשפחת אלכסנדר כל כך חיכתה לו עם עידן. וואו כמה מרגש… אין מילים פשוט לראות בלופים ולהתרגש עם המשפחה היקרה הזו ועם עידן הגיבור! pic.twitter.com/hMCQT9OMH3
— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) May 12, 2025
Idan looks pale and thin but otherwise seems in good spirits and health as he greets his family, surprised at how his brother has grown tall.
According to initial reports, Idan, who also holds American citizenship, was referred to as ‘The American’ by his Hamas captors. According to Kan 11 News, he endured severe torture during lengthy Hamas interrogations that lasted for weeks. Throughout his captivity, he was held alongside other hostages in southern Gaza, in a tunnel without daylight.
Released hostage soldier Staff Sgt. Edan Alexander reunites with family members at Sourasky Hospital.
Happy Pesach Sheni!
Initial information provided by Edan Alexander.
Edan found it initially difficult to walk of his release because of weakness and loss of balance after being so long in dark and cramped conditions for most of his 584 as a Hamas hostage.
He was kept in leg chains for a long period.
He suffered from a significant loss of nutrients in his prolonged captivity, only given a reasonable amount of food in the last two months.
The terrorists referred to him as “the American” in Arabic.
Barry Shaw,
The View from Israel.