Screams And Hugs: Bergen County Native Edan Alexander Is Released To His Family

NORTH JERSEY — After the terror group Hamas released an Israeli Defense Forces soldier from Bergen County on Monday, video shows a joyful reunion with his family.

Edan Alexander, a Tenafly High School graduate, was serving in the IDF near the Gaza Strip in October 2023 when Hamas kidnapped him, officials said. He was 19 at the time.

He was held in captivity for 584 days. Last month, he was forced to make a video to put pressure on Israeli leaders.

When he was released in Israel on Monday, his mother screamed and the rest of his family hugged him. (See the video here.)

The militant group Hamas killed as many as 1,200 people, including children, on that October morning, and kidnapped hundreds of others off the street. Among those killed were more than 200 attending a music festival.

After his release, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a veteran, said, "Edan’s family never gave up hope and never stopped fighting for their son and the remaining hostages. Their resilience inspires us all.

“I want to thank everyone who was involved in securing Edan’s release today. As we breathe a sigh of relief across New Jersey, we are reminded that there is more work to be done. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to bringing every single hostage home while protecting innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza alike, and working towards a ceasefire that provides security and stability across the region. I’m sending prayers for love, health, and healing to Edan and the entire Alexander family in the days ahead.”

Josh Gottheimer, who is also from Bergen County, said, "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."

A temple in Bergen County wrote on Sunday, "Tomorrow marks a moment we’ve all been waiting for with full hearts and hopeful prayers—Edan Alexander is coming home! He will be released at 5 a.m./12 p.m. Israel time, and we want to celebrate this extraordinary moment together. We are setting up livestream screens in front of Cafe Angelique in Huyler Park, and we invite everyone of you to join us in this heartfelt celebration. Bring your flags, your warmth, and your spirit. Let’s welcome Edan home together."