Israeli-American hostage seen alive in new Hamas video
A newly released video from Hamas’s military branch features an Israeli-American hostage in a visibly tense condition. The hostage accuses the Israeli government of not doing enough to secure his freedom in the footage posted on Saturday.
The individual in the video has been identified as Edan Alexander, as confirmed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Alexander was serving in an elite Israeli infantry unit stationed near the Gaza border when he was apprehended during the Hamas-led attack on October 7. AFP has stated that they were unable to validate the exact recording date of the video.
The video, spanning slightly over three minutes, shows Alexander seated within a confined space. He expresses a longing to come back home, especially during the holidays, to reconnect with his family. At present, Israel is observing Passover, a significant holiday commemorating the biblical liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
A native of Tel Aviv, Alexander spent his upbringing in New Jersey before relocating back to Israel post his high school completion. He enlisted in the army as a lone soldier and celebrated his 21st birthday while in captivity.
The family conveyed a statement through the forum, stating, “As we commence the holiday evening in the USA, our family in Israel is setting the Seder table. Our Edan, a lone soldier who migrated to Israel and enrolled in the Golani Brigade to safeguard the nation and its people, is still confined by Hamas. Remember that this is not a freedom holiday for Edan and the other detainees.” The family has not permitted the media to broadcast the video publicly.
The footage reveals Alexander exhibiting signs of distress, gesticulating frequently, and censuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration for not facilitating his release. The release of the video aligns closely with Israel’s military advancement in Gaza. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz disclosed that their troops had taken hold of the Morag axis between Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. There are plans to expand Israel’s military operations across the Gaza Strip, as stated by Katz.
Hamas underscored the escalating danger to hostages in a prior Saturday declaration, signaling a tense situation.