‘Hope is mandatory’: NJ family awaits release of Israeli soldier son

TENAFLY, N.J. (PIX11) – A New Jersey family is patiently waiting for their son, Edan Alexander, to return home as Israel and Hamas get closer to signing a ceasefire deal.

Israel has agreed to pull its troops out of Gaza, which would then lead to 33 American and Israel hostages being released in waves over a six-week period. In exchange, 1,000 Palestinian prisoners would be handed over and 600 daily truckloads of humanitarian aid would flow into Gaza after bombs and missiles have destroyed the infrastructure and displaced thousands.

Alexander’s parents believe he is alive after recently seeing him in a hostage video. They said they don’t think he will be released until the second wave of hostages is let go in 16 days.

“He’s a great, all-American kid, great swimmer, Boy Scout,” his father, Adi Alexander, told PIX11 News. “He belongs to be back with his family in our town in New Jersey. We will keep pushing for that, there is no other choice. Hope is mandatory. He will come back to us.”

The ceasefire would start on Sunday, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Hamas of trying to extort last-minute concessions and is threatening not to sign the deal. President Joe Biden said the deal took more than eight months of negotiations.