‘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.