WATCH: Cheering community lines the streets as former Hamas hostage Edan Alexander returns home to NJ

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Hundreds of local residents lined the streets in downtown Tenafly, New Jersey Thursday afternoon, to welcome home Edan Alexander, who is believed to be the last living U.S. hostage held in captivity in Gaza.

From North Jersey.com: Now 21, Alexander was captured by Hamas along with 250 others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. He was held for 584 days in captivity before being released on May 12.

Alexander grew up in Tenafly and graduated Tenafly High School. He joined the Israel Defense Forces at age 19 and was on guard near Israel’s southern border when he was captured. Two propaganda videos released by Hamas feature a gaunt and pale Alexander pleading for his life.

His release was due to negotiations between the Trump administration and Hamas.

“We prayed for him every day,” said Rabbi Mordechai Shain of Lubavitch on the Palisades in Tenafly, who said he called the Alexanders every Friday to give them his blessings. One of his congregants donated a Torah to the family to be kept in Alexander’s room.

In the emotional welcome-home ceremony, Alexander was driven down the street, with throngs of people on each side cheering.  Many are holding ‘welcome home’ signs, or Israeli flags.

Below is the incredible moment Alexander arrived:

WATCH LIVE COVERAGE of the welcome ceremony in the videos below:

Below is our report when Alexander was first released by Hamas on May 12:

UPDATE: Last living American held hostage by Hamas, freed from captivity

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