President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli citizen who was held hostage by Hamas for 584 days, to the White House on July 3, 2025. Alexander, who was abducted by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, was released on May 13, 2025, following direct negotiations and pressure from the Trump administration. During a half-hour meeting in the Oval Office, Alexander recounted that his treatment by Hamas captors improved after Trump's election in November 2024, as the militants were reportedly afraid of the president. Alexander, originally from Tenafly, New Jersey, was accompanied by his family and thanked the Trumps for securing his release and bringing him home for rehabilitation. Senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were also involved in the efforts leading to Alexander's release. The White House emphasized its commitment to continuing efforts to free all remaining hostages held by Hamas, with approximately 50 still in captivity. Alexander's mother expressed gratitude for the successful rescue and reunion with her son. The event underscored the ongoing urgency of pursuing hostage release and ceasefire agreements in the region.