From NPR.

A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen — the last surviving American hostage in Gaza — has returned to the United States.

Edan Alexander had been held by Hamas militants until his release in May. Crowds lined the streets in Tenafly, N.J., waving Israeli and U.S. flags and cheering as an SUV brought the 21-year-old back home.

Alexander was captured while on duty serving as an Israeli soldier during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October of 2023. He was released last month, in a standalone deal negotiated between President Trump’s administration and Hamas, who said it had been holding secret talks with the U.S. in the days leading up to his release.

Hamas said Alexander’s release was meant as part of “steps taken to establish a ceasefire” with Israel, but a ceasefire has still not come. Deadly Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues daily while 53 hostages remain in captivity there, more than half of whom are believed to be dead.

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