“Why am I here and…”: Hamas releases video of 21-year-old Israeli-American hostages – Watch | World News
Israel-Hamas conflict: The Alkasam Brigade of Hamas Military Forces released a video of one of the Israeli hostages Edan Alexander, who has been in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. “Why am I here instead of being at home with family and friends?” he asked.
Alexander was 21 years old when he was imprisoned. He was born in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and grew up in New Jersey, USA. After graduating from high school in 2022, he returned to Israel to join the army. Xinhua News Agency reported that on October 7, 2023, he was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in a raid on southern Israel.
In the video, Alexander shares his struggle and expresses concern about his security during the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. He also accused the Israeli government of failing to secure the release.
Hamas releases video of Israeli-American hostages Edan Alexander
Alexander, 21, was seen in a closed space under coercion and criticized the Israeli government for failing to secure his release.
His family, immigrants from new immigrants… https://t.co/puqb5qtemo pic.twitter.com/byc74ww7dp– Mario Nawfal (@marionawfal) April 12, 2025
After the video was released, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that he had spoken with Alexander’s family and assured them that close efforts were underway to ensure the release of all hostages.
The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas expired on March 1, and negotiations for the second phase remained stagnant. Of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack, 59 were imprisoned in the Gaza Strip. Israel believes 24 of them are still alive.
On March 14, Hamas said it had made mediators agree to release the bodies of Alexander and four other hostages. Gaza health authorities said on Saturday that Israeli forces have resumed air strikes in Gaza since March 18. Gaza health authorities said on Saturday that new Israeli attacks have so far caused 1,563 Palestinians and injured 4,004 people.
