The White House has released a propaganda video published by Hamas in which Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander urges President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to release the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip. It condemned the attack, calling it a “brutal reminder of the horrors of Hamas.” To citizens of multiple countries, including our own. ”
In a video posted on the Telegram channel of Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, on Saturday, titled “Soon…time is running out,” Alexander told Trump that he would “use influence and the full power of the United States.” He called on everyone to negotiate “our freedom.”
Alexander has been held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, but says he has been held for more than 420 days and appears to be receiving threats.
“Don’t make the mistakes Biden has made,” he said, adding, “I don’t want to die like Hersh, a fellow American citizen.” Hamas in August.
Alexander’s family has given permission for the release of the video, which shows a young captive crying with his hands over his face.
National Security Council spokesman Sean Savet said in a statement that if Hamas agrees to release the hostages, the war in Gaza “will stop tomorrow, the suffering of Gazans will end immediately, and it ended months ago.” That would be fine.”
A White House statement said the hostage deal is currently “under consideration” and that President Joe Biden and the United States are “working around the clock to secure the release of our citizens, including through diplomatic efforts and increasing pressure on Hamas.” Continue,” he continued. Eliminate terrorists through sanctions, law enforcement measures, and other measures. ”
Biden said last week that there is a “significant opportunity to reach a deal to free the hostages, end the war, and expand humanitarian assistance to Gaza.”
But the video is aimed squarely at the president-elect, who carried a photo of Alexander while visiting his parents Adi and Yael in New York on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack. .
At an event in Florida later that day, President Trump called the attack “one of the darkest days in history,” and credited Hamas with giving confidence to his then-presidential rival and vice president Kamala.・He said he focused on blaming Harris and Biden for their “weaknesses.” Start the attack.
Yael Alexander told protesters in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Saturday that she was “disturbed by the video” and had spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
She said the Israeli leader “encouraged me and assured me that after the agreement in Lebanon, the conditions were ripe for your release and return” and that the situation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was ripe. He noted that a ceasefire lasted for 60 days. It will be affected on Wednesday.
In the video, Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey and joined the Israeli army after graduating from high school, addresses Netanyahu in Hebrew. “I heard you on the news speaking to the people of Israel, and I am very sorry. I heard that they will give $5 million to whoever brings us home alive.” You were supposed to protect your people and your soldiers, but you ignored us.”
Alexander continues: “Fear is at its peak, we are dying thousands of times every day, and no one thinks of us. People of Israel, do not ignore us. I would like to return to Japan.”
In a statement released Saturday, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the video was “shocking” and “a clear statement that despite all rumors, there are living hostages and that they are suffering immensely.” He said he provided “evidence.”
“A year after the first and only deal, it is clear to all that the return of the hostages is possible only through a deal. After more than 420 days of abuse, starvation, and darkness, all 101 hostages were returned. “The urgency to bring him home cannot be overstated,” the statement read.
Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli prime minister had spoken with Alexander’s family and “truly feels the pain that Edan, the hostages, and their families are experiencing.”
The Prime Minister added that he reassured families that “Israel is determined and working in every possible way” to free the hostages “who are in enemy hands”.
Separately, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he would work with the Alexander family and urge both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to do everything in their power to expedite an agreement for their safe return. “We ask that you take measures,” he said in X.
