“Trump told me: ‘I am committed to Israel. I am committed to continuing to work with you in close cooperation’ to achieve all our war objectives: to free all the hostages and to defeat Hamas,” he said.
“These things go hand in hand. They are interconnected.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir noted the military’s excitement at the prospect of an IDF soldier coming home.
“We are emotional and grateful for the return of Edan, an IDF soldier, home,” an IDF handout statement read. “That said, we do not forget our commitment to bring back the 58 hostages still held by Hamas—they remain constantly in our thoughts. We will continue to use all means at our disposal to bring them home.”
Israeli officials react to Edan Alexander’s release
Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed Alexander home and noted that he was “moved, together with the entire State of Israel, to see him reunited with his loving family, who worked day and night for his return home.”
He also thanked President Trump and the US administration for their efforts in securing his release.
“We are committed to doing everything possible until all the hostages — our brothers and sisters, both the living and the fallen — are brought back to Israel.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich noted his “immense emotion” at Alexander’s release in a statement on X/Twitter.
“Your return is a great ray of light for your family, friends, and all the people of Israel,” he said. “We never stopped hoping, praying, and yearning for this moment — sending you a big hug.”
“The State of Israel will not stop until we destroy Hamas and bring back the last of the hostages, both the living and the fallen,” he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that while he was happy to see Alexander return home, he believed that all of the Israeli citizens remained in captivity because of the government’s inaction.
“Whoever can be brought back—must be brought back,” he said. “Heartbreaking because Edan Alexander was released because he is an American citizen, in negotiations conducted by the American administration. Those who remain in Hamas tunnels are Israeli citizens. They were not released because the Israeli government did not make a deal to free them. The hostages are ours, and the responsibility for their return lies with the government.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum directly addressed the prime minister in a Monday night statement.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu, the ball is in your court. Announce tonight that you are ready to negotiate a comprehensive agreement to bring home all 58 hostages and establish a framework for ending the war,” the statement reads, urging him not to “miss this historic opportunity.”
“Prove to the Israeli public and President Trump that you are willing to take a regional initiative that transcends narrow political considerations.”
