NJ Native Possibly Among Hostages Being Held By Hamas

TENAFLY, NJ — A New Jersey native who recently graduated from Tenafly High School may be among the people being held hostage by Hamas, according to a statement from Gov. Phil Murphy and multiple reports.

"We demand that all hostages taken by Hamas be released immediately and unharmed, including New Jersey native Edan Alexander, who may be among the captives," Murphy wrote on Facebook. "We are doing everything in our power to help bring everyone home swiftly and safely."

Alexander, who graduated from Tenafly High School as part of the class of 2022, is a member of the Israel Defense Forces' Golani Brigade 51st Division and has been serving near the Gaza Strip, according to NJ 101.5.

He has been missing since the Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month, the outlet reported.

Hamas, which has ruled the Palestinian Gaza Strip since 2007, launched an attack inside Israel Oct. 7, killing hundreds and taking others hostage while seizing settlements. Its unprecedented breach of the border sent fighters inside border communities and military installations, shocked Israel and its allies, and raised questions about the group's capabilities and strategy.

The U.S. State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. The European Union and other Western countries also consider it a terrorist organization.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated that Edan Alexander could be among hostages held by Hamas in Israel. This story has been updated to clarify his location was not disclosed by authorities.