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Almost 600 days after being accused of Hamas throughout the October seventh bloodbath, Edan Alexander returned to New Jersey on Thursday to return to a deeply emotional homecoming. Hundreds of residents line up the tenafree wet streets of his hometown, waving flags of America and Israel, and wish to welcome him with handmade indicators.
21-year-old Alexander smiled and waved from the passenger seat of his black SUV, slowly rolling by the city of fifty,000 residents, caught between police convoys and cheering supporters.
This undated photograph, launched by the Hostage and Missing Family Forum, exhibits Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who was accused of and accused of Gaza on October 7, 2023 (Hostage and Missing Family Forum through the AP)
“Our neighborhood is praying for him – 585 days,” mentioned Rabbi Mordecai Shane, a longtime rabbi within the household. There was a weekly march to get him residence. It appeared we had been dwelling it. ”
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Growing up in Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander moved to Israel on the age of 18 and volunteered for army service with the IDF Golani Brigade. He lived along with his grandparents in Tel Aviv and Kibbutz Hazeur. There he was a part of a bunch of lonely troopers.
Alexander was serving the Israeli Defence Forces when he was 19 years previous and lured into Hamas terrorists in a lethal assault on southern Israel.
In May he was launched in captivity greater than 19 months later, and was launched on what he was described as a goodwill gesture following quiet negotiations between US officers and Hamas. Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkov and particular hostage envoy Adam Berler performed a key function in securing his launch.
Rabbi Shane, who had recognized Alexander since he was two years previous, mentioned Edan was recognized for his quiet kindness. “Even when he was somewhat boy, he was somebody who nobody knew about it, and nobody helped him,” the rabbi remembers, and Edan took his pal’s shift on October seventh, permitting the opposite troopers to go residence.
Edan Alexander, an American, launched by Hamas after being saved for over 580 days.
“As an individual and his household, he simply desires to return again to life and transfer on,” the rabbi mentioned. “This is a course of. It takes time to heal as a result of he would not even know the torture he has skilled. He hasn’t advised us.”
When he was taken prisoner, the Tenafree Jewish neighborhood as soon as prayed weekly, marched, and even celebrated Edan’s birthday. “Over 800 individuals have come to rejoice Hanukkah’s birthday,” the rabbi mentioned. “We wished him to know that we hadn’t forgotten.”
Alexander is predicted to stay in New Jersey for now as he’s centered on restoration. He reportedly suffered a hand damage, weighing solely 121 kilos upon launch.
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Efrat Lachter is an investigative reporter and conflict correspondent. Her work has taken her to 40 nations, together with Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan. She is the 2024 Night Vares Fellowship Journalism recipient. Lachter will be adopted by x @efratlachter.