Hamas has released a video showing Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander begging Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump to push for ceasefire deal with the militants.
In the undated video, which lasts three-and-a-half minutes, Alexander identifies himself, saying he has been held hostage for more than 420 days. Addressing Netanyahu, Alexander says he is disappointed that the hostages are neglected by the Israeli government.
The family of Edan Alexander, the Israeli-American held hostage in Gaza, has authorized the release of the heartbreaking proof of life video published by terrorists earlier today. pic.twitter.com/pYp8vttt8t
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 30, 2024
Who is Edan Alexander?
Edan Alexander, 20, is an Israeli soldier who holds a dual US citizenship. He as stationed near the Gaza border on October 7 when Hamas unleashed attack on Israel.
Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv, raised in New Jersey, the USA. He enlisted in the army after graduating from high school in 2022.
'Do not forget us'
In the clip, Alexander says the hostages want to return home and fear and isolation are killing them. "Do not forget us," he adds.
Addressing Trump, the 20-year-old urges the president-elect to use his influence and the full power of the US to negotiate the release of hostages. He goes on to warn Trump to avoid the mistake made by US President Joe Biden.
He adds that he does not want to end up dead like like his fellow US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
To his family, Alexander says, "I miss you very much. Every day, I pray to see you soon. Please be strong, it's only a matter of time before this nightmare ends."
His mother, Yael Alexander said Netanyahu promised her that "the conditions are ripe" to bring the hostages home. She said she and her family were shaken by the video, adding that the clip shows how hard the conditions are for her son and other hostages.
