In photos: IDF soldier Edan Alexander's return to Israel
The day that Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander came home to Israel, in photos.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFUpdated: MAY 12, 2025 23:20The Alexander family upon receiving confirmation that Edan has been transferred to the Red Cross. (Credit: Paulina Patimer)
Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander returned to Israel on Monday evening.
At the Re'im Air Base, he is reuniting with his family after 583 days in Hamas captivity.
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch met Alexander's parents at the Re'im Air Base.
Back in Tel Aviv, his extended family was overjoyed when they heard that he was officially in Red Cross custody. The Alexander family upon receiving confirmation that Edan has been transferred to the Red Cross. (credit: Paulina Patimer)
The Alexander family upon receiving confirmation that Edan has been transferred to the Red Cross. (credit: Paulina Patimer) The Alexander family upon receiving confirmation that Edan has been transferred to the Red Cross. (credit: PAULINA PATIMER)
In Hostages Sqaure, Israelis eagerly awaited his return to Israeli territory.
Israelis rally in Tel Aviv as Edan Alexander returns to Israel. Sign reads: ''Edan, We have waited for you so much, how good it is that you are home.'' (credit: Chen G. Schimmel) Israelis await the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, whom Hamas is expected to release from captivity today, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv May 12, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
The Parents of remaining hostages Matan Zangauker, Jonathan Samerano, and Nimrod Cohen, were in the crowd at the rally in Tel Aviv.
They made statements thanking US President Donald Trump and special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for their efforts to release Alexander.
People at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, before the release of American-Israel hostage Edan Alexander, May 12, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)Israelis await the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, whom Hamas is expected to release from captivity today, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv May 12, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Israelis await the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, whom Hamas is expected to release from captivity today, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv May 12, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that it stood with the Alexander family in a statement, but noted that a full hostage and ceasefire deal was necessary.
"The families stand with the Alexander family. If the reports are correct, Edan's return must be the beginning of a deal that will bring back all 59 hostages."
"There is only one moral, rightful, and necessary deal: the immediate return of all hostages and the end of the war."People at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, before the release of American-Israel hostage Edan Alexander, May 12, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Witkoff met the Alexander family at the Re'im Air Base earlier Monday.
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is greeted on the day Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, is expected to be released by Hamas, in Reim, Israel May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD) U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff walks on the day Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, is expected to be released by Hamas, in Reim, Israel May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)
At around 6:15 p.m., the Red Cross entered Khan Yunis in Gaza to retrieve Alexander.
International Committee Of The Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles drive by on the day of the handover of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander to the International Red Cross, in the Gaza Strip May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed) International Red Cross vehicles drive by on the day of the handover of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander to the International Red Cross, in the Gaza Strip May 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)
The IDF met Alexander at the Gaza border to return him to Israeli territory.
IDF meets Red Cross in Gaza to return released hostage Edan Alexander to Israeli territory, May 12, 2025. (credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Released hostage Edan Alexander meets with IDF at Gaza border, May 12, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)Released hostage Edan Alexander meets IDF soldiers at the Gaza border upon release from Hamas captivity, May 12, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Released hostage Edan Alexander meets with IDF soldiers at Gaza border after release from Hamas captivity, May 12, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
