Father of a Golani soldier, Simon, defended freed hostage Edan Alexander amid online criticism in a Wednesday interview with 103FM: "My son owes his life to Edan Alexander," he declared. Alexander was released by Hamas on Monday following 584 days in captivity in a hostage release deal secured by Trump.

For the first time since the release Monday from Gaza of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander's by the militant group Hamas, his family spoke publicly about what their emotional reunion was like, and what their son went through.

Hamas released the American Israeli citizen, who was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured on Oct. 7, 2023.

The parents of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who was freed Monday after being held captive by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, said they always maintained hope he'd be released.

Witkoff said he had worn the necklace for more than 25 years and now wanted Alexander to wear it in his son’s memory.