Hamas released a video Saturday showing Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, who has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
In the video, Alexander said he has been in captivity for 551 days. He accuses the Israeli government and the American administration of “deserting” him in Gaza.
“I am collapsing because of this disgusting world and disgusting Israeli government,” Alexander said. He goes on to claim: “I heard that three weeks ago, Hamas was prepared to release me, but you refused and abandoned me here!”
It is unclear when and where the three-minute video was taken. Alexander, 21, was stationed near the Gaza border when he was captured during Hamas’s October 7 assault on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of more than 250 hostages.
This is the second video Hamas has released of Alexander. The first came out in November.
The family of Edan Alexander authorizes the release of the video published by Hamas terror organization this evening (Saturday).
“The shocking video of Edan, an American-Israeli citizen, is definite proof that despite all the rumors – there are living hostages and they are… pic.twitter.com/gJcSv8LAtE
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) November 30, 2024
The latest video was released just as Jews in Israel and around the world began celebrating Passover, a holiday that marks freedom.
Alexander’s family released a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
“Edan is still being held captive by Hamas,” they said. “This is not a holiday of freedom as long as Edan and the other 58 hostages are not home.”
The video’s release came after a recent U.S. effort to secure Alexander’s freedom, which included both unprecedented direct talks with Hamas and indirect negotiations through mediators—efforts that ultimately failed to yield results.
Following the release of the video, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “Tremendous efforts are taking place to return Edan and the rest of the hostages.”
Israel believes 24 hostages are still alive in Gaza. Another 35 are confirmed dead. In November 2023, more than 100 hostages were released during a temporary ceasefire. A second truce in January 2025 led to more releases in exchange for humanitarian aid and the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Talks to extend the truce broke down after Hamas and Israel failed to agree on the next steps.
Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza last month and said the war will not end until all hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated.
