Hamas released a video featuring Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli captive held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Speaking directly to US President-elect Donald Trump in English and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Hebrew, Edan urged immediate intervention and appealed to Israelis to pressure their leaders for hostages’ release.
The footage, shared by Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, has not been independently verified. Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, addressed the media during a Tel Aviv rally, expressing mixed emotions. “The video gives hope but highlights the dire situation for Edan and other captives,” she said.
Yael confirmed she had personally urged Netanyahu to honor his promise to secure the hostages’ freedom. “Israel is strong enough to end this war and bring everyone back, including my son,” she stated. Netanyahu called the video “psychological warfare,” reaffirming Israel’s commitment to retrieve all captives.
The Hostage Families Forum emphasized negotiations as the only viable path to bringing hostages home. “Experience has shown that their return depends on a deal,” the group said.
Since October 7, when over 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, efforts to negotiate further releases have largely failed. A brief November truce secured the release of 80 Israelis in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners, but 97 captives remain in Gaza.
Israel’s military operations have led to significant casualties, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting 44,382 deaths.
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