From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 12, 2025
Watch: Family, friends and the public celebrate as IDF says Red Cross has Edan Alexander
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The family and friends of US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander erupt into cheers as the IDF announces that he has been transferred to the Red Cross and is en route to meet with Israeli troops.
The cheers give way to applause, and then the group of his loved ones, all wearing matching shirts and hats with his name emblazoned across in yellow, begin chanting his name.
“Edan! Edan! Edan!”
Edan Alexander’s family and friends cheer as they hear that he has successfully been transferred to the Red Cross in Gaza, on May 12, 2025. (Paulina Patimer/ Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
Elsewhere, in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, members of the public have gathered to watch his release.
As the IDF’s statement confirming Edan’s transfer to the Red Cross is read aloud over a loudspeaker, they begin cheering and applauding.
A man close to the front of the crowd jumps up and down, waving his hands in the air as he cheers.
Crowds celebrate in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square as the IDF announces Edan Alexander’s release from Hamas captivity, on May 12, 2025. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
Meanwhile, in Alexander’s hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, members of his family’s community watch coverage of his release. Many of them are waving Israeli and American flags as they celebrate.
Proud to be standing with my Tenafly community as we watch the release of Edan Alexander. #bringhimhome pic.twitter.com/DF4rljmXki
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) May 12, 2025
The Times of Israel Community.