WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump met on July 3 with Mr Edan Alexander, a dual American-Israeli citizen who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 600 days. The emotional reunion took place in the Oval Office, where Mr Alexander was joined by his parents, Mr Adi and Mrs Yael Alexander, of Tenafly, New Jersey.
Mr Alexander, 21, was abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, while serving in the Israeli military. He was released in May 2025 and has since been recovering from the physical and psychological toll of his captivity.
President Trump shared a video of the meeting on his Truth Social platform, showing Mr Alexander being welcomed by top US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. In the footage, Mr Trump credited First Lady Melania Trump for her deep concern about Mr Alexander’s safe return.
“The fact that Edan is an American citizen had a big impact,” the President said, adding that ensuring his release was “very important” to the First Lady.
Mr Alexander’s ordeal included being handcuffed, beaten, and interrogated while held in underground tunnels in Gaza. According to his father, he suffered from malnourishment and was covered in bedbug bites upon release.
“He was this goofy, funny guy when he joined the army. He’s still funny. I don’t think he’s a different person – he’s simply tired,” Mr Adi Alexander told The New York Times in May.
Throughout Mr Alexander’s captivity, his family campaigned tirelessly for his release, travelling between the US and Israel and working closely with US officials. His emotional reunion with his parents drew widespread attention and sympathy.
President Trump’s meeting with Mr Alexander comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. On July 1, the President announced that Israel had agreed to conditions for finalising a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas. He is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week in Washington to discuss further developments.
Mr Alexander’s release is viewed as a significant humanitarian milestone in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted after the October 2023 attacks and has resulted in continued violence and hostilities in the region.