Two Years After October 7 Massacre, Trump Welcomes Freed Hamas Hostage Edan Alexander to the White House
On the second anniversary of the Hamas terror attacks on Israel, President Donald Trump welcomed Edan Alexander — a 21-year-old American-Israeli hostage held by Hamas for nearly two years — to the White House.
Alexander, born in Rockville, Maryland and raised in New Jersey, was held in captivity for 584 days before the Trump administration secured his release in May 2025. On Tuesday, Trump met privately with Alexander and his family to honor his resilience and survival.
“President Trump remains committed to bringing every hostage home,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Alexander had joined the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was stationed near Kibbutz Nir Oz when Hamas fighters stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, 2023. He was abducted during the massacre and later appeared in Hamas propaganda videos. His release earlier this year marked the first time a male IDF soldier taken on that day was freed.
The president also met with the family of Omer Neutra, another American citizen who was killed by Hamas during the same attack. Though initially believed to be held hostage, Neutra’s family only received confirmation of his death in December 2024. His remains are still held in Gaza.
“Omer loved sports, playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball, and served as the captain of his school’s sports teams,” read a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. “Family and friends described him as a warm, optimistic, and caring individual who ‘lit up the room the moment he entered.’”
Trump’s meeting with both families comes as his administration continues to push for the return of the remaining 49 hostages still believed to be held by Hamas.
In a July 4th op-ed for The Daily Wire, Neutra’s parents praised Trump’s approach to the crisis. “President Trump recently said it’s time to bring all the hostages home — and time for the war to end. We agree,” they wrote.
They acknowledged the military progress made by the U.S. and Israel in the fight against Iran-backed terror groups but emphasized that true peace cannot begin while hostages remain underground and families are left in agony.
“This is not a partisan issue,” they added. “This is not just an Israeli issue. It is an American issue — and a human issue. Omer is one of our own, but so are the other 49 souls still trapped in darkness.”
Trump has reiterated that the return of every American and Israeli hostage remains a top priority for his administration. The White House has not released additional details about ongoing negotiations, but officials confirmed that efforts continue behind the scenes.