Hamas releases new propaganda video with Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander

The Hamas terror group released a new propaganda video on Saturday, showing 20-year-old Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander. 

Edan was born in Tel Aviv but grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. He chose to return to Israel after graduating high school, enlisting as a lone soldier in the IDF. He was abducted from the Kissufim military post on the morning of Oct. 7. 

The Alexander family lives in New Jersey. Edan’s mother Yael visited with him just days before his capture by Hamas terrorists.

In the Hamas video, which runs for just over three and a half minutes, Edan spoke in Hebrew and English. This was the first such hostage video in several months. 

Edan stated he has been held for 420 days, which, if true, would indicate that the video was filmed on Friday. 

In the video, he begins his message by addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Hebrew.

“I heard you talking to the people of Israel on the news and I am very disappointed,” Alexander says. “I heard that you are willing to give whoever hands us over $5 million if he brings us alive to the people of Israel. A prime minister is supposed to protect citizens and their lives, and you abandoned us.”

Edan also pleaded with Israelis to demonstrate for a hostage release-ceasefire deal. 

“Fear and loneliness are killing us, please don't forget us,” he said. “It's not fair for us to pay for the mistake our government has made. So please, citizens of Israel, go out and demonstrate every day and put pressure on the government. It's time to put an end to this nightmare.” 

Edan also addressed President-elect Donald Trump.

“Dear President Trump, my name is Edan Alexander,” he said in English. “I am an American-Israeli citizen currently being held captive in the Gaza Strip.” 

“As an American, I have always believed in the power of the United States, and now, I am sending my message,” he continued. “Please, use your influence and the full power of the United States to negotiate for our freedom.” 

“Every day here feels like an eternity,” Edan stated. 

Hamas has released several such videos of the hostages over the past 14 months. The Israeli government views these as propaganda, intended to serve as psychological warfare. As a result, Israeli media outlets generally refrain from publishing the full videos.

Edan’s parents told Channel 12 News, “We are in contact with the White House staff, President-elect Trump and, of course, Prime Minister Netanyahu. We received a sign of life from Edan and we are excited and worried. We are concerned about the safety of all the hostages.” 

“After the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, the message to President-elect Trump, current President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu is to kick into high gear the release of all the hostages as soon as possible and bridge the gaps with Hamas,” they continued. “Time is not on our side.” 

In a recent discussion with President-elect Trump, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly informed him that the Israeli government estimates approximately 60 of the 96 hostages abducted into Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, are still alive.