Celebration in Edan Alexander's New Jersey hometown for his release
Hundreds gathered Monday in New Jersey to watch the release of Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, who has been held hostage for over 19 months.
Family, friends and supporters gathered at Huyler Park in Tenafly, where Alexander grew up, to watch a livestream of the Israeli-American national's release.
Alexander, 21, was released at around 11:30 a.m. Monday. He was a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces when he was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas announced Sunday that he would be freed from captivity.
Alexander was placed into the hands of the Red Cross, which then transferred him to the IDF.
Chopper 2 was over the scene in Tenafly, and spotted members of the crowd dancing and waving flags.
"We feel so honored and so relieved"
"Certainly emotional. The Alexanders, as you probably know, have not for one minute lost faith that their son was going to come home. And that's how the whole community has felt. Their strength and courage has just been remarkable," Rep. Josh Gottheimer said.
A large screen was set up for the crowd to watch back in their hometown. It showed Israeli news coverage of the Alexander family's arrival in Israel and his anticipated release.
"We are Edan's best friends from back home in Tenafly, New Jersey. He is honestly the strongest kid that I know, the strongest person that I know. So resilient throughout all of this. We've heard also from the hostages that he was helping translate for them in the tunnels. Edan's family has just been so supportive throughout this whole thing. They're an inspiration to all of us," said Michael Leschner, Alexander's friend. "We feel so honored and so relieved finally, like, this has just been such a long time coming and we love Edan so much, and he's literally the core and glue of our friend group."
"Very surprised, but very shocked that it actually could happen, and that it's finally happening now. It feels so surreal that after all this time of talking and being together and hoping that we could be with him once again, that it's finally gonna happen and hopefully today," Jacob Shanker, another friend, said.
"It's a beautiful day we saw. We're so emotional from last night. We couldn't stop crying from happiness," neighbor Ron Attias said.
"Every time we pass their house my heart is aching, but hopefully now soon we going to be happy and just excited," Shira Attias added.
"It means the world to everybody here"
Friend Agam Shalem said he went to high school with Alexander and then they enlisted together.
"It's amazing. His eye looks like it's in bad shape from the way I know him, but it's such a surreal feeling," Shalem said.
"It means a lot for this community to be here. Finally, to see him just hug his family, it means the world to everybody here. That's why there's so many people here today," said Tal Yechezkell, who went to high school with Alexander. "The emotions that are going through everyone's bodies, I probably can't explain it, and I think, overall, this is the best Mother's Day gift that any mother here could get, especially his."
"Tammy and I are incredibly relieved and thankful that Tenafly native Edan Alexandar will finally be returning home. For 19 excruciating months, we have all been hoping and praying alongside Edan's family members for his safe release. With every day that Edan has been held hostage, the Alexander family has endured unimaginable pain, uncertainty, and fear," N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy said. "With Edan's return home, their — and our — prayers have finally been answered. And as we continue praying for Edan and the Alexander family, we are also praying for the safety and well-being of every remaining hostage and innocent family in Israel, Gaza, and the entire Middle East. I would like to thank President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Special Envoy Witkoff for their commitment to bringing Edan home. With Edan's release, we hope that greater peace and stability in the region may be on the horizon as well."
The celebration is just beginning
A blue "home" ribbon was placed on Alexander's poster outside the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades.
"It was a really meaningful moment for all of us. It will be a dream come true to see him back in his hometown and hopefully swimming here again," said Sue Gelsey, Kaplen's interim CEO.
Back in October, Edan Alexander's mother, Yael Alexander, spoke at the JCC, marking one year since his kidnapping. She was surrounded by a community that can't wait to wrap its arms around the Alexanders again. Only this time, with a heartfelt homecoming.
The Kaplen JCC says it plans to hold a big celebration in coordination with the family, when Edan returns home to New Jersey.
"Imagine that many people celebrating instead of being there in grief and in mourning to come together in joy will be great," Gelsey said.
