Hundreds gathered Monday in New Jersey to watch the release of Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, who has been held hostage for over 19 months. Family, friends and supporters gathered at Huyler Park in Tenafly,

The freeing of Alexander marks the first hostage release since Israel broke a weekslong ceasefire with Hamas in March. His release leaves 58 hostages remaining in Gaza; about half are believed to be alive. Hamas has said the move is a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration.

Alexander, 21, was born to Israeli parents and raised in Tenafly, a leafy suburb across the Hudson River from the Bronx. He joined the IDF after graduating from high school and was taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, invasion of Israel. He was released on Monday after 584 days in captivity.

On May 11, Alexander's family and friends, his hometown and strangers around the world who followed his tragic story rejoiced at the news they'd been yearning for: The 21-year old New Jersey native, believed to be the last living American hostage captured by Hamas in its 2023 attack on Israel, appears to be coming home.

New Jersey officials, including Gov. Phil Murphy and Sen. Andy Kim, cheered Hamas' release of Edan Alexander of Tenafly.

As news spread of the American hostage’s release, neighbors and classmates gathered to celebrate in Tenafly, New Jersey.