Edan Alexander's family describes his "battle between hope and despair" leading up to release by Hamas
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity
Edan Alexander's parents describe what their son went through while in Hamas captivity
For the first time since American-Israeli Edan Alexander's release by Hamas, his family is speaking publicly about what their emotional reunion was like, and what their son went through.
Speaking Tuesday from the hospital in Tel Aviv where her son is recovering, Yael Alexander said the moment she embraced him "time stood still," adding, "My heartbeat returned in sync with his."
However, she also shared that during his more than 580 days in captivity, "Every minute was a battle between hope and despair."
She said the reunion was also met with the pain of learning that her son faced "daily fear, hunger, the lack of water and appalling sanitary conditions."
She says while being held in underground tunnels, Edan Alexander heard deafening explosions, the whistles of missiles, and the earth shaking.
Read more: Celebration in Edan Alexander's New Jersey hometown for his release
Alexanders call for the release of the remaining hostages
Yael Alexander said it's important to bring home the remaining hostages who still live with the terror daily. The extended Alexander family stood alongside his parents, holding photos of those still being held captive.
Yael and her husband, Adi Alexander, thanked President Trump, who Edan Alexander spoke with by phone on Monday. Neither of them thanked Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Soon, Edan will be home in the United States, in New Jersey, watching his little brother play basketball, reuniting with his friends in New Jersey. He's 21 now, and those happy kinds may include a beer, too, but we will never forget the first beer he had on the rooftop of this very building since his release," Adi Alexander said.
Edan Alexander takes to social media for first time
Edan Alexander on Tuesday created his first Instagram post of that moment, titling it, "Home sweet home."
He was wearing a Star of David, a necklace given to him by Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East. It belonged to Witkoff's late son, Andrew.
Witkoff's son, Alex, posted on X, Edan is "a true warrior and the necklace is a powerful reminder of his strength, survival, and pride in his Jewish heritage."
It is unclear when Edan Alexander will return to the U.S.
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