American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander has arrived at the initial reception center at Re'im after crossing into Israel accompanied by the IDF.
His father, Adi, was flown by an IAF helicopter from Ben Gurion Airport to Re'im to meet his son.
After receiving Alexander, the IDF confirmed that he "is currently being accompanied by IDF special forces on his return to Israeli territory, where he will undergo an initial medical assessment and meet with his family."
"The commanders and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his way home to the State of Israel," the military statement read. "The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks everyone to respect the privacy of the returning hostage and his family."
Alexander then boarded a helicopter, which will take him to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for further medical examination and treatment.
While on the helicopter wrote his first public message on a whiteboard: "Thank you, President Trump. Am Yisrael Chai (the nation of Israel lives). Go Golani 51 (a nod to his IDF battalion)."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Alexander's release stating: "This is a very emotional moment – Edan Alexander has returned home. We embrace him and we embrace his family."
He added: "This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. This is a winning combination. I spoke with President Trump today. He told me 'I am committed to Israel. I am committed to continuing to work with you in close cooperation' – in order to achieve all of our war objectives: Releasing all of the hostages, and defeating Hamas. This goes together. They are combined with each other."
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the Hamas terrorist organization handed Alexander to representatives of the Red Cross, to be brought to the IDF.
The IDF confirmed the handover, stating: "According to information communicated by the Red Cross, one hostage was transferred to them, and they are on their way toward IDF forces in the Gaza Strip."
The handover was not broadcast per a request by the Americans. Edan is reported to be physically in poor condition, but still smiling.
Hamas confirmed that Alexander has been released and stated: "We reiterate the movement's readiness to immediately begin negotiations to achieve a comprehensive agreement for a lasting ceasefire, withdrawal of occupying forces, lifting the blockade, prisoner exchanges, and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip."
The Health Ministry announced that after an initial examination upon his arrival, Alexander will be brought to Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv.
Alexander will be met by his mother, Yael, as well as Israeli Hostages and Missing Persons Coordinator Gal Hirsch and US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera earlier on Monday that the time of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander's release has been coordinated with the Red Cross.
The hostage's family confirmed that after his release, Alexander will depart for Qatar to meet with President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar.
The Alexander family explained that "President Trump and the Emir of Qatar want Edan to come meet them, but it all depends only on what Edan wants and his medical condition."
Yael, Edan's mother, arrived in Israel on Monday and expressed hope but also concern. "This is a very exciting moment, we received the unexpected announcement, but the story is far from over," she told Channel 13.
"When Edan returns, there will still be 58 hostages in Gaza. We may not forget them, and we may not rest." Turning to the Prime Minister, she said: "The power is in your hands, now is the time to work, I wish he would do it."
Varda Ben-Baruch, Edan's grandmother, spoke about her excitement ahead of her grandson's impending release. "I made food for everyone at home, I also sent Edan the food he likes. Trump does his work, and he's a good messenger of G-d. Thank G-d the administration cared."
