Idan Alexander, IDF Lone Soldier and U.S. Citizen, Released After 584 Days in Hamas Captivity

Idan Alexander, a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen and lone IDF soldier, was released after 584 days in Hamas captivity. Unlike previous releases, there was no public ceremony. He was transferred by the Red Cross to the IDF in a buffer zone and reunited with his family, accompanied by U.S. officials, at a reception facility near Gaza.

Four American citizens’ bodies are still held by Hamas: Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, and couple Gadi Haggai and Judy Weinstein. The U.S. continues to work for their return.

Alexander, born in Tenafly, New Jersey, immigrated to Israel two years before his abduction to join the IDF through the Garin Tzabar program. He served in the Golani Brigade and was stationed at Kissufim during the October 7th Hamas attack. Despite being eligible for leave to visit his mother, who was in Israel, he chose to stay on base.

Just before being taken, he told his mother a fragment had hit his helmet and that he was okay. Later, in a Hamas video, he pleaded: “It’s time to end this nightmare… We die a thousand times every day.”

His mother, Yael, expressed deep pain in interviews, saying she’s still emotionally stuck on October 7th and longs for her son daily.