Edan Alexander will be first male soldier freed since October 7

When he emerges from captivity in the coming hours, Edan Alexander will become the first male hostage soldier abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, to be returned to Israel by the terror group.

Alexander, a dual citizen who grew up in New Jersey, was serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade at the time of his abduction. He was kidnapped from his base near the Gaza border community of Nirim, known as the White House post, during the October 7 onslaught.

On October 7, Hamas took 19 male soldiers hostage — not all of them on duty — and seven female surveillance soldiers, the latter of whom have all since been returned to Israel. Five were released in a deal with Hamas, one was rescued, and the body of one was recovered by troops.

Currently, Hamas is holding 14 male Israeli soldiers, eight of whom have been declared dead, among them the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014.