VIDEO: Former captive Edan Alexander returns home to New Jersey

Edan Alexander, an 'Israeli'-American citizen who was held captive in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, returned to his hometown of Tenafly on Thursday, where a large crowd gathered to mark his arrival.

Residents lined the streets of this Bergen County town, many carrying American and 'Israeli' flags despite the rainy weather. As Alexander’s motorcade passed through, onlookers clapped and cheered, with some reaching out for a brief handshake or high-five. Alexander waved from the vehicle and smiled at the crowd.

Alexander, who holds both US and 'Israeli' citizenship, joined Garin Tzabar in 2022 during his final year of high school. The program supports young people from the diaspora in preparing for military service in 'Israel'. After graduating, he relocated to 'Israel' and was assigned to an infantry unit in the Israel Occupation Forces (IOF).

By September 2023, Alexander was stationed at a small outpost near the Gaza border. Alexander was among the soldiers captured near the frontier and taken into Gaza.