Edan Alexander's family celebrates his upcoming release: 'Greatest gift imaginable'

Edan Alexander's family celebrates his upcoming release: 'Greatest gift imaginable'

The sign in front of Tenafly High School in northeastern New Jersey, from whichEdan Alexandergraduated just three years ago, has a single demand on its display: "Bring Edan Home Now." 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 its2023 attackon Israel,appears to be coming home. Hamas said earlier in the day that it would releaseAlexanderahead of PresidentDonald Trump's visit to the Middle East later this week. Hours later, Trump confirmed the news in asocial media poston X. "I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family," Trump's post said. "This was a step taken in good faith toward the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones." U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler told CNN and The New York Times that he was traveling with the parents of Alexander to Israel, where they hoped to reunite with Edan — possibly as early as the afternoon of May 12, Israel time. Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters released a statement on behalf of the family, thanking Trump and his administration for their work "Today, on Mother's Day, we received the greatest gift imaginable — news that our beautiful son Edan is returning home after 583 days in captivity in Gaza," the statement read. "We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop. We hope our son's release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families. No hostage should be left behind." The report would mark a happy conclusion to months of deadlocked negotiations to secure Alexander's freedom after being captured by Hamas during its deadly attack onOct. 7, 2023. Trump had said Alexander's release was a top priority, and the administration had taken the unusual step of opening direct talks with Hamas, despite its designation as a terror group. Israel-Hamas war:Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, group says In interviews and speeches at dozens of rallies held in his name over the past two years, friends and relatives described Alexander as a warm, funny, and athletic teenager. Edan was an "all-American kid" who enjoyed swimming, hanging out with friends, and rooting for the New York Knicks, his father, Adi Alexander, told NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, in an earlier interview. "This time it appears to be legitimate, and I could not be happier for Edan, his family, friends, our community, and the united global Jewish community," Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, said in a statement as word of Edan Alexander's impending release spread. "His safe return home marks another step towards bringing everyone back from the hell they have been subjected to. We are grateful to everyone who made this possible and welcome Edan back with enormous loving arms." Edan Alexander was born to Israeli parents, Adi and Yael, in Tel Aviv, but the family moved to the U.S. when he was a baby, first to Maryland, before settling in Tenafly in 2008. Edan Alexander graduated in 2022 from Tenafly High, where he was active in sports leagues and competed for the local swim team. He often traveled to Israel to visit his grandparents and celebrated his bar mitzvah there. But Edan Alexander surprised his family by returning to his parents' homeland after high school and volunteering with the Israel Defense Forces. He had no obligation to serve but wanted to help Israel, his father said. Edan Alexander was stationed in southern Israel when Hamas fighters stormed Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing 250 others, including 12 Americans. He was 19 when he was captured while guarding a post near the Gaza border. "He's such a brave kid. He volunteered for the IDF because he felt it was the right thing to do," Adi Alexander said. "He's very idealistic." With Edan Alexander in captivity, his parents accepted a "hometown heroes" award on their son's behalf in December 2023 from their congressman, Rep. Josh Gottheimer. 'Tears in my eyes':Family remembers Palestinian American teen killed in the West Bank Yael Alexander spoke to her son in a morning phone call on the day of his capture. Edan Alexander told her there was a lot of shooting, and he had taken shrapnel to his helmet, but he assured her he was safe. His mother said she told her son she loved him and to protect himself. That was their final conversation. For days, the family did not know his whereabouts, but Israeli officials informed them a week later that their son had been kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Footage found later showed Edan Alexander surrounded by Hamas fighters as they captured him. Some released hostages said they had seen Edan Alexander in Hamas' tunnel networks under Gaza, with one report putting him with a group of Thai workers who had also been captured. "He looked skinny but was in a good mood. He tried to help the Thai workers by translating conversations between them and their captors," Adi Alexander said in an interview. Edan Alexander was the last known American hostage from the attack, believed to be still alive. Americans who were killed include Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Judy Weinstein Haggai and her husband, Gadi Haggai. About 21 of the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza are believed to be alive. Hamas released twopropaganda videosfeaturing Edan Alexander in recent months. The latest was released in April, at thestart of Passover, a Jewish holiday celebrating the story of Exodus, when the Israelites were liberated from slavery in ancient Egypt by Moses. In the video, a gaunt and emotional Edan Alexander said he was "collapsing physically and mentally" and urged U.S. and Israeli leaders to negotiate his release. "I want to believe I will return home to celebrate the holidays with you," he said to his parents. Several days later, after talks between Israel and Hamas hit an impasse, Hamas announced that it had lost contact with the guards in charge of Edan Alexander. But Adi Alexander remained optimistic about his son's fate, telling NorthJersey.com that he believed "he's in the same place and is OK." Friends lost, relatives at odds:How Oct. 7 reshaped lives in the U.S. The Alexanders urged Trump to negotiate directly with Hamas to reach a deal. In his recent address at aNational Day of Prayerevent at the White House, which the Alexanders attended, Trump said, "Adi and Yael, I cannot imagine your pain. But we're all alongside of you. We stand by you and we're going to do everything possible in a short period of time." Hamas released a statement on May 11, saying that it would release Edan Alexander as part of efforts toward a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was informed by the U.S. of Hamas' intention to release Edan as a gesture to the Americans, without any conditions. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said on May 11 that Edan's release should be the start of a "comprehensive" agreement to secure the release of all the hostages. "President Trump, you've given the families of all the hostages hope," the forum said. "Please complete your mission and bring them all home." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Edan Alexander case: Family celebrates his upcoming release by Hamas

byVS personal

in

21:35

Edan Alexander's family celebrates his upcoming release: 'Greatest gift imaginable'

Edan Alexander's family celebrates his upcoming release: 'Greatest gift imaginable' The sign in front of Tenafly High School in ...

Read More

Burkina Faso forces killed at least 100 civilians in a March attack, Human Rights Watch says

Burkina Faso forces killed at least 100 civilians in a March attack, Human Rights Watch says

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least 100 civilians were killed by Burkina Faso government forces in March near the western town of Solenzo, Human Rights Watch said Monday. According to victim testimony and videos shared on social media gathered by the rights group, the attackers were Burkina Faso special forces and members of a pro-government militia, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland. The victims were all ethnic Fulani, a pastoralist community that is widespread across the region, which the government has long accused of supporting Muslim militants. An earlierreportfrom Human Rights Watch stated that the government's involvement was likely, because of video evidence on social media, although the findings were not definitive. The government issued a sharp denial when first reports surfaced, saying in a statement it "condemned the propagation, on social media, of images inducing hate and community violence, and fake information aimed at undermining social cohesion" in the country. "The viral videos of the atrocities by pro-government militias near Solenzo sent shock waves through Africa's Sahel region, but they told only part of the story," said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Further research uncovered that Burkina Faso's military was responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians, which were followed by deadly reprisals by an Islamist armed group. The government needs to impartially investigate these deaths and prosecute all those responsible." Burkina Faso authorities did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the group's new report. The landlocked nation of 23 million people has symbolized the security crisis in the aridSahelregion south of the Sahara in recent years. It has been shaken by violence fromextremistgroups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the governments fighting them. Themilitary junta, which took power in 2022, failed to provide the stability it promised. According to conservative estimates, more than 60% of the country is now outside of government control, more than 2.1 million people have lost their homes and almost 6.5 million need humanitarian aid to survive. The attack in the western Boucle du Mouhoun region, including Solenzo and other towns, began on Feb. 27 and lasted until April 2, involving hundreds of government troops and drones, according to eyewitnesses quoted in the report. "The VDPs shot at us like animals, while drones were flying over our heads. Many women and children died because they could not run," said a Fulani herder, 44, from Solenzo, referring to the pro-government militias. After the attack, hundreds of Fulani residents fled across the border into neighboring Mali, the report said. "Today, in the whole province, there are no more Fulani — they all fled or were killed or taken hostage," said a 53-year-old man from Solenzo. "But the other (ethnic) communities remain." After the government forces left, the report said that jihadist fighters from a group known as JNIM reentered the towns and carried out reprisal killings against residents, targeting the men whom it considered to be military collaborators. "All the men had been executed in front of the health center," said a 60-year-old woman who witnessed JNIM abuses in Tiao village, a town to the northeast of Solenzo on April 5. "I counted up to 70 bodies." According to analysts, the junta's strategy of military escalation, including mass recruitment of civilians for poorly trained militia units, has exacerbated tensions between ethnic groups. It it impossible to get an accurate picture of the situation in the country since the military leadership has installed a system of de facto censorship, rights groups said, and those daring to speak up can be openlyabducted, imprisoned or forcefully drafted into the army.

byVS personal

in

21:35

Burkina Faso forces killed at least 100 civilians in a March attack, Human Rights Watch says

Burkina Faso forces killed at least 100 civilians in a March attack, Human Rights Watch says DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least 100 civilians we...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV will ‘complete and complement [the U.S.] political agenda’: Cardinal Cupich

Pope Leo XIV will 'complete and complement [the U.S.] political agenda': Cardinal Cupich

Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said the selection of Pope Leo XIV fits into the current political landscape, especially when considering the Trump administration. "I think he's going to help complete and complement our political agenda. He'll talk a lot about the immigrations, as well, because he knows about the sufferings of people and the real needs that they have for a better life," Cupich said Sunday to 'This Week' co-anchor Martha Raddatz. "And he knows too that people in Oceania, for instance, where the -- the rising sea levels are just -- getting -- overwhelming those islands, where people are trying to escape, he sees the drug trade that's happening in Central and South America where there are weapons from theUnited Statesgoing there. He knows that those people need an option. And he'll call for, I think, as the bishops have in the United States, fixing this broken immigration system." Pope Leo XIV made history on Thursday as the first American pope. The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago but lived in Peru for about 20 years before eventually being tapped by the late Pope Francis to serve in the Vatican. MORE: Pope Leo XIV live updates During Leo XIV's papacy, he is expected to face difficult questions regarding the church -- including the actions of President Donald Trump. Pope Leo XIV is an alumnus of the Catholic institution Villanova University. Villanova President Rev. Peter Donohue said that Pope Leo XIV represents both the United States and the world. "I think [Leo XIV] is really that, you know, this is somebody that has an American spirit but has also a global spirit," Donohue said on "This Week." Here are more highlights from Cupich and Donohue's interviews: Raddatz:And this morning, of course, the pope speaking to the people. And I was interested because he said, I carry in the hearts the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. He also talked about how saddened he is about what's happening in the Gaza Strip. What does that tell us about this pope? Cupich:Well, he picked up on the words of Pope Francis that there's a world war going on piecemeal. And it is something for him to be a voice, as he said, for peace at the very beginning of his announcement when he was presented to the people. He cares deeply about that. And I would just make the point that here you had 133 cardinals from 71 different countries able to come to a decision within 24 hours. Hopefully that's a sign of unity that the rest of the world can embrace. MORE: Pope Leo XIV's family tree shows Black roots in New Orleans Raddatz:Talk about what being an American means as a pope, given he has lived in Peru for so many years and has a global vision in a way. Cupich:: And he's a Peruvian citizen. He has a Peruvian passport. I think that's important and to recognize. My hope would be that he has now a new platform to reintroduce what the church has always called for in terms of its social justice agenda and it will -- it will give people another opportunity to take a second look at what Francis was saying. But now in the, in the words and the voice of an American who speaks like an American, I think that's going to be very powerful going forward. Raddatz:And, Cardinal, I have to ask you about this, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, as they are called, penned an open letter this week drawing attention to sexual abuse in the church and looking at how -- before he became pope, that -- that Prevost handled some of the allegations allegedly. How do you think he will handle the history of this church in that regard? Cupich:Well, I know from talking to him and also looking at his handling of cases, that he's very committed to the norms that were put by Pope Francis and he does care about them. He has a record of meeting with victims, of reporting things to authorities, of doing the investigations, and also reaching out to -- to heal victims. I am confident that he will move in that direction. And everything I have seen shows that he's committed to that. Raddatz:And obviously, much has been made of him being an American. I want you to describe that part of him that is an American. Why it is so significant that we have an American pope? Donohue:I think for American Catholics, it was something that we never really thought would possible. Whenever people talked about it -- it was always like -- the -- you know, America is such a powerful nation. The church was always a little suspicious about having, you know, the pres-, the pope being an American. But I think for Leo -- I'm still trying to get used to calling him that -- it is something that he is certainly grew up in America. He's a native Chicago. He loves Chicago, his family, his brother still lives there. He comes back here whenever he can. He has friends in the area. But his -- his world experience has not really been in America. So, he -- he's served a very short time here in the United States as an Augustinian. Most of his time was either in Peru or in Rome, so his experience was -- while growing up American, his experience after college and certainly after being ordained a priest was -- was always much more global, much more international. Pope Leo XIV will 'complete and complement [the U.S.] political agenda': Cardinal Cupichoriginally appeared onabcnews.go.com

byVS personal

in

21:35

Pope Leo XIV will ‘complete and complement [the U.S.] political agenda’: Cardinal Cupich

Pope Leo XIV will 'complete and complement [the U.S.] political agenda': Cardinal Cupich Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich...

Read More

Josh and Jace Jung square off in rare, emotional Mother's Day matchup with mom watching: 'My heart is just exploding'

Josh and Jace Jung square off in rare, emotional Mother's Day matchup with mom watching: 'My heart is just exploding'

Mary Jung had perhaps the best Mother's Day an MLB mom could have asked for. She got to watch her two sons play each other, and throw out the first pitch, at Comerica Park on Sunday afternoon in a rare Mother's Day brothers meeting in Major League Baseball. Mary — who wore a custom half-and-half Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers jersey — threw out the first pitch on Sunday ahead of her sons', Josh and Jace Jung, matchup in Michigan. Josh's and Jace's dad, Jeff, was also there in a similar custom jersey. Mama Jung delivered today's game ball 🩷#MothersDaypic.twitter.com/fdv0OIfLkI — Detroit Tigers (@tigers)May 11, 2025 Can't keep the family apart on#MothersDayBrothers Jace and Josh Jung are facing off in front of their mom today ❤️💙pic.twitter.com/TcfoIXEqwc — MLB (@MLB)May 11, 2025 "I mean my heart is just exploding," Mary said on the Rangers' broadcast. "I mean, I couldn't ask for a better Mother's Day gift. To watch them — we're all in the same place, to begin with — but then to watch them live their dream, do what they love to do, I couldn't be more proud." Watching your sons play in@MLBon Mother's Day? Pricelesspic.twitter.com/gMuh3aNnD4 — Texas Rangers (@Rangers)May 11, 2025 Josh, the older brother, is in his fourth season with the Rangers this spring. He's dealt with numerous injuries that have kept him sidelined throughout his career, including a broken thumb and a broken wrist, and has surpassed only 100 games in a season once. Jace, the younger brother, was only called up by the Tigers last fall, though he started this season back with their Triple-A team. He was recalled not quite a month into the season, and has been there ever since. Now, with both brothers on the field on Sunday, they are just the seventh set of siblings to face off in an MLB game on Mother's Day in the last 45 years. Brothers to Play Against Each Other on Mother's Day, Last 45 Years:May 11, 2025 Jace and Josh JungMay 9, 2021 Lourdes Jr. and Yuli GurrielMay 11, 2003 Jolbert and Orlando CabreraMay 11, 1997 Vladimir and Wilton GuerreroMay 14, 1989 Otis and Donell NixonMay 9, 1982 Hector… — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports)May 11, 2025 "My mama heart just melted at that possibility," Marytold the Dallas Morning Newsabout when she first saw the schedule line up. "But I didn't want to talk about it in case something came up. I thought about getting a split jersey with both teams. If I looked at flights, I'd erase the browser history. "I found a hotel but wouldn't call to make reservations. If it happened, great, but I really worked hard not to say anything about it. I didn't want any evidence that I'd even been thinking about it. Every time I'd actually say something, I'd retract it and say 'what if.'" And, to make the day even better, Josh hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning. That put the Rangers up 5-0 and pushed them to the 6-1 win. "I think it will be everything for the family," Josh told the Dallas Morning News before the game. "Just in general, you've got two kids in the big leagues playing against each other. Just to play against each other, that's something special on its own. We've worked forever just to get to the big leagues. It's going to be an emotional day for them." "She might shed a tear here or there," Jace added. "But, yes, she will be off the wall." Without a doubt, this was a Mother's Day Mary won't soon forget.

byVS personal

in

20:35

Josh and Jace Jung square off in rare, emotional Mother's Day matchup with mom watching: 'My heart is just exploding'

Josh and Jace Jung square off in rare, emotional Mother's Day matchup with mom watching: 'My heart is just exploding' Mary Jung ...

Read More

Rockies fire manager Bud Black amid MLB-worst 7-33 record

Rockies fire manager Bud Black amid MLB-worst 7-33 record

TheColorado Rockiesannounced the firing of manager Bud Black on Sunday, followinga 9-3 winover theSan Diego Padres. The Rockies have theworst record in Major League Baseballat 7-33. Colorado wasn't just losing games, and a lot of them. The team was losing badly, looking completely outmatched on the field. On Saturday, the Rockies lost to the Padres,21-0. That was part of a week during which Colorado's pitching staff allowed 10 or more runs in four consecutive games. Bench coach Mike Redmond, who held that position during Black's entire tenure with the Rockies, was also dismissed. Third base coach Warren Schaeffer was named interim manager. The Rockies' -128 run differential is the worst in MLB by a considerable margin, 59 runs worse than the next closest team. An inept offense has also contributed significantly to that figure. Colorado has scored the second-fewest runs in baseball (133) with the third-worst team batting average (.219) and OPS (.646). pic.twitter.com/nsIwiYBmVR — Colorado Rockies (@Rockies)May 11, 2025 The Rockies are on their way to their seventh consecutive losing season and third with 100 or more losses. At 7-33, Colorado is on pace to overtakelast season's Chicago White Soxas the team with the most defeats (121) in a single season in MLB history. Black's firing comes less than 24 hours after general manager Bill Schmidt supported him following Saturday's blowout, saying he thought the team could "turn it around." "I think our guys are still playing hard, and that's what I look at," Schmidt toldthe Denver Post's Patrick Saunders. "Guys are working hard every day, they come with energy, for the most part. I don't think we are [at that point of firing Black]. Guys still believe in what we are doing and where we are headed. We are all frustrated." Schmidt may be the next to go. Little help is coming from a minor league system that ranks 18th among baseball's 30 organizations,according to MLB.com. The payroll is saddled with horrible contracts such asthe seven-year, $182 million pactwithKris Bryant, who's played 170 games in his four seasons with Colorado and just had surgery toalleviate a degenerate lumbar condition. "Our play so far this season, especially coming off the last two seasons, has been unacceptable. Our fans deserve better, and we are capable of better," Rockies owner Dick Monfort saidin a statement. "While we all share responsibility in how this season has played out, these changes are necessary. We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve where we can on the field and to evaluate all areas of our operation so we can properly turn the page into the next chapter of Rockies Baseball." Montfort has been the Rockies' principal owner since 2000. Colorado has had six winning seasons during that span, including a run to the World Series in 2007. Prior to joining the Colorado staff for the 2023 season, Schaeffer coached in the Rockies' organization for 10 seasons, progressing from high Single-A to Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who wasnamed interim hitting coachin mid-April, will now be the interim bench coach. Black finishes his Rockies tenure with a 543-690 record (a .440 winning percentage). In his first two seasons, Colorado qualified for the MLB postseason as a wild card and advanced to the divisional round in 2018. However, the Rockies hadn't won more than 74 games in the following six seasons.

byVS personal

in

20:35

Rockies fire manager Bud Black amid MLB-worst 7-33 record

Rockies fire manager Bud Black amid MLB-worst 7-33 record TheColorado Rockiesannounced the firing of manager Bud Black on Sunday, followinga...

Read More