TENAFLY, NJ — Edan Alexander, a 19-year-old from Tenafly, New Jersey, remains in captivity following his abduction by Hamas terrorists on October 7. Alexander, a volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was serving near the Gaza border when the attack occurred, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians.
Alexander graduated from Tenafly High School.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy had hoped Edan’s release would be imminent, but that did not happen.
Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, shared the last conversation she had with her son on the morning of his abduction. Despite the chaotic situation he described, akin to “World War II,” she held onto hope upon learning of his status as a hostage.
“I never saw atrocities like those we were forced to see in the past few days. I woke up Saturday morning to a horror show,” New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said in the aftermath of the October 6th terrorist attack. “It was terrorism plain and simple. There were two Bergen County men who are missing. Let us demand their return.”
A 4-day truce is set to begin soon, during which an initial group of 13 Israeli and dual nationals are scheduled for release on Friday, followed by a total of 50 hostages over the truce period. An additional 10 hostages will be freed daily if the ceasefire extends beyond the initial four days. Unfortunately, Edan Alexander, due to his position as an IDF soldier, is likely to be among the last to be released.
The tragedy also touches another family with New Jersey connections. Itay Glisko, a 20-year-old soldier with roots in Paramus, NJ, who moved to Israel at the age of two, was killed in the October 7 Hamas attack. Laor Abramov, another New Jersey native was confirmed killed in the attack, days after it happened.