Troops of the Golani Brigade operate in southern Gaza's Rafah, in a handout photo issued on May 10, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
The expected release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander will mark the first time in over a decade that the Israel Defense Force’s Golani Brigade won’t have any hostages held in the Gaza Strip, Army Radio notes.
The “closing of the circle” comes after the January recovery of the body of soldier Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, who was killed and captured by Hamas in 2014, the outlet says.
Alexander will also be 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.
Currently, Hamas is holding 14 male Israeli soldiers hostage, eight of whom have been declared dead, among them the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was also killed in 2014.
Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul (Courtesy)
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