Who Is Edan Alexander, the American Hostage Held by Hamas in Gaza?

nytimes.comPublished: 5/12/2025

Summary

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli dual citizen who had been believed to be the last surviving U.S.-born Israeli held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, was released on Monday as part of a deal negotiated directly with the United States. The release came after President Trump pressed for his safe return following the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier that month. Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey and served in the Israeli military after completing a special program to prepare young immigrants for service, is now free after more than two decades of captivity under Hamas.