Latest news with #Tenafly
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander returns to a hero's welcome in New Jersey
Nearly 600 days after he was abducted by Hamas during the October 7 massacre, Edan Alexander returned home to New Jersey on Thursday to a deeply emotional homecoming. Hundreds of residents lined the rain-soaked streets of his hometown of Tenafly, waving American and Israeli flags and holding handmade signs, eager to welcome him back. Alexander, 21, was seen smiling and waving from the passenger seat of a black SUV as it slowly rolled through the 50,000-resident town, flanked by a police motorcade and cheering supporters. "Our community has been praying for him—585 days," said Rabbi Mordechai Shain, the family's longtime rabbi. There was a march every week for him to come home. It was like we lived it." 'You Saved My Life:' Freed Hostage Edan Alexander Thanks Trump In Emotional Phone Call Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander moved to Israel at 18 to volunteer for military service in the IDF's Golani Brigade. He lived with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and at Kibbutz Hazor, where he was part of a group of lone soldiers. Alexander was serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during its deadly assault on southern Israel when he was 19 years old. Read On The Fox News App In May, he was released after more than 19 months in captivity, in what was described as a goodwill gesture following quiet negotiations between U.S. officials and Hamas. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Special Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler, played a key role in securing his release. Rabbi Shain, who has known Alexander since he was two years old, said Edan was known for his quiet kindness. "Even when he was a little boy, he was the one who helped without anyone knowing," the rabbi recalled, noting that Edan had taken a friend's shift on October 7, so the other soldier could go home—an act that led to his capture. American Hostage Edan Alexander Released By Hamas After More Than 580 Days In Captivity "As a person and a family, he just wants to go back to life and move on," said the rabbi. "This is a process. It's going to take time to heal because we don't even know how much torture he went through. He hasn't told us." During his time in captivity, Tenafly's Jewish community held weekly prayers, marches, and even celebrated Edan's birthday in his absence. "Over 800 people came to his Hanukkah birthday celebration," said the Rabbi. "We wanted him to know we hadn't forgotten." Alexander is expected to remain in New Jersey for now as he focuses on his recovery. He reportedly weighed just 121 pounds upon his release and suffered hand article source: Former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander returns to a hero's welcome in New Jersey
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Fox News
Former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander returns to a hero's welcome in New Jersey
Nearly 600 days after he was abducted by Hamas during the October 7 massacre, Edan Alexander returned home to New Jersey on Thursday to a deeply emotional homecoming. Hundreds of residents lined the rain-soaked streets of his hometown of Tenafly, waving American and Israeli flags and holding handmade signs, eager to welcome him back. Alexander, 21, was seen smiling and waving from the passenger seat of a black SUV as it slowly rolled through the 50,000-resident town, flanked by a police motorcade and cheering supporters. "Our community has been praying for him—585 days," said Rabbi Mordechai Shain, the family's longtime rabbi. There was a march every week for him to come home. It was like we lived it." Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander moved to Israel at 18 to volunteer for military service in the IDF's Golani Brigade. He lived with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and at Kibbutz Hazor, where he was part of a group of lone soldiers. Alexander was serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during its deadly assault on southern Israel when he was 19 years old. In May, he was released after more than 19 months in captivity, in what was described as a goodwill gesture following quiet negotiations between U.S. officials and Hamas. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Special Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler, played a key role in securing his release. Rabbi Shain, who has known Alexander since he was two years old, said Edan was known for his quiet kindness. "Even when he was a little boy, he was the one who helped without anyone knowing," the rabbi recalled, noting that Edan had taken a friend's shift on October 7, so the other soldier could go home—an act that led to his capture. "As a person and a family, he just wants to go back to life and move on," said the rabbi. "This is a process. It's going to take time to heal because we don't even know how much torture he went through. He hasn't told us." During his time in captivity, Tenafly's Jewish community held weekly prayers, marches, and even celebrated Edan's birthday in his absence. "Over 800 people came to his Hanukkah birthday celebration," said the Rabbi. "We wanted him to know we hadn't forgotten." Alexander is expected to remain in New Jersey for now as he focuses on his recovery. He reportedly weighed just 121 pounds upon his release and suffered hand injuries.
CBS News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Edan Alexander returns home to Tenafly, N.J. to cheers of his supporters
See the moment Edan Alexander arrives back in his hometown of Tenafly, N.J. See the moment Edan Alexander arrives back in his hometown of Tenafly, N.J. See the moment Edan Alexander arrives back in his hometown of Tenafly, N.J. Edan Alexander, an American taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, has finally returned his hometown in Tenafly, New Jersey. Hundreds of residents lined the streets to pay tribute, many waving Israeli and American flags. Crowds cheered as his motorcade passed through town. Edan Alexander returns home to New Jersey on June 19, 2025. CBS News New York Alexander smiled and waved to his supporters as he drove through the jubilant crowd, high fiving some well wishers and flashing a peace sign. CBS News New York brought you special coverage of Alexander's return home. Alexander spent nearly 600 days in captivity. Alexander held for more than a year After he graduated from high school, Alexander moved to Israel to serve in the Israeli military. On Oct. 7, Alexander, who was 19 at the time, was abducted by Hamas. He had been stationed at the border when he was taken hostage. Alexander was one 251 people kidnapped after the attack. After more than a year in captivity, Alexander was released on May 12 in a deal brokered by the Trump administration. Those who know Alexander say he was part of the Tenafly community and the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. Edan Alexander smiles as he arrives at his hometown of Tenafly, N.J. on June 19, 2025 after being held as a hostage by Hamas for nearly 600 days. CBS News New York "Edan's return is the return of everybody's child. Every organization. Every family. Every Israeli family. And not Israeli. Not Jewish. Everyone in this community was part of what Edan was going through and was hoping for today to come," Tenafly resident Orly Chen said. "We're so happy and relieved, and it's a closure for a long time battle to bring Edan back and fighting for Edan's return," Madi Oelsner of the Kaplen JCC said. "I don't think that Edan or his family are in time of celebrations because there are 53 hostages that are still in Gaza." Omer Neutra's family speaks out Meanwhile, the family of Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier from New York who was killed during the Oct. 7 massacre, is speaking out as Alexander returns home. Neutra's body is still being held by Hamas. "Today marks 622 days since our son Omer was brutally taken from us. We share in the joy of the Alexander family as they welcome Edan home. At the same time, we remind the world that 53 hostages are still being held in the tunnels beneath Gaza — among them two Americans: our son Omer Neutra and Itay Chen," Oma and Ronen Neutra said. "We call on President Trump to seize this moment. This is not only a humanitarian imperative — it's an opportunity to help broker a comprehensive agreement that brings stability to the region and secures the release of all the hostages." Support for Alexander in Tenafly Hundreds of family members, friends and supporters gathered in his hometown last month to watch a livestream of Alexander's release. At the time, his parents told CBS News their son had been held in underground tunnels, never seeing daylight after being dragged into Gaza. Alexander is believed to be the last living American citizen that was held in Gaza. Bergen County, where Tenafly is located, has one of the largest Israeli-Jewish American communities outside of a major city. "I want to tell you, Edan, we love you and we are so happy you're back," said Yitzchak Gershovitz, the Alexander family's rabbi. "This is our brother. Our son returns home and our hearts are full of joy and happiness. There's only one word, it's a miracle of God."
CBS News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Edan Alexander expected back in Tenafly, N.J. today as residents prepare big welcome home
Edan Alexander, an American taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, is finally returning to his hometown in New Jersey. He's expected to arrive back in Tenafly, N.J. Thursday afternoon. Residents are preparing a big welcome. CBS News New York will have special coverage of Alexander's return home. Alexander spent nearly 600 days in captivity. Tenafly, where he grew up, will be welcoming him back with people lining the streets to pay tribute to his victory. After he graduated from high school, Alexander moved to Israel to serve in the Israeli military. On Oct. 7, Alexander, who was 19 at the time, was abducted by Hamas. He had been stationed at the border when he was taken hostage. Alexander was one 251 people kidnapped after the attack. After more than a year in captivity, Alexander was released on May 12 in a deal brokered by the Trump administration. Those who know Alexander say he was part of the Tenafly community and the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. "Edan's return is the return of everybody's child. Every organization. Every family. Every Israeli family. And not Israeli. Not Jewish. Everyone in this community was part of what Edan was going through and was hoping for today to come," Tenafly resident Orly Chen said. "We're so happy and relieved and it's a closure for a long time battle to bring Edan back and fighting for Edan's return," Madi Oelsner of the Kaplen JCC said. "I don't think that Edan or his family are in time of celebrations because there are 53 hostages that are still in Gaza." Hundreds of family members, friends and supporters gathered in his hometown last month to watch a livestream of Alexander's release. At the time, his parents told CBS News their son had been held in underground tunnels, never seeing daylight after being dragged into Gaza. Alexander is believed to be the last living American citizen that was held in Gaza. Bergen County, where Tenafly is located, has one of the largest Israeli-Jewish American communities outside of a major city. "I want to tell you, Edan, we love you and we are so happy you're back," said Yitzchak Gershovitz, the Alexander family's rabbi. "This is our brother. Our son returns home and our hearts are full of joy and happiness. There's only one word, it's a miracle of God."
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freed Hamas hostage Edan Alexander evacuates Israel
(NewsNation) — An American-Israeli hostage who was held captive in the Gaza Strip for more than 19 months has left Israel amid Iranian strikes. NewsNation confirmed Edan Alexander evacuated Israel on Wednesday with his mother on a special evacuation flight back to the U.S. Once on American soil, he will return to his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, on Thursday. Iran strikes Israeli hospital as Trump weighs US intervention 'I want to tell you, Edan, we love you and we are so happy you're back,' Yitzchak Gershovitz, his family rabbi, told CBS News. 'This is our brother. Our son returns home, and our hearts are full of joy and happiness. There's only one word: it's a miracle of God.' The U.S. Embassy in Israel was working Thursday to evacuate Americans via flight and cruise ship, as the Israel-Iran conflict ramps up and President Donald Trump weighs potential U.S. military action. Taken from his military base in southern Israel during Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Alexander was one of 251 kidnapped during the violence that claimed around 1,200 lives. He was believed to be the last remaining American-Israeli hostage in Gaza. During his captivity, his mother, Yael Alexander, told NewsNation, 'It's very, very tough to wake up every day. It's a nightmare, but this is our life now, and whatever we are doing, it's not enough.' After 584 days in captivity, Alexander was released May 12 as part of a deal brokered by the Trump administration. Israel will go it alone in Iran, if necessary: Ambassador Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count. The campaign has destroyed large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population. Hamas was hopeful to use Alexander's release to revive ceasefire talks, but Israel launched a renewed offensive days later. A permanent ceasefire has not yet been reached. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
