On Saturday (April 12), Hamas released a video of Israeli -American hostage Edan Alexander, held in Gaza for 551 days of captivity within 7 October 2023, an attack led by Hamas on Israel. In the undated video, Edan Alexander will present himself and beg for his release and questioning why he is still in captivity.
The timing of the video coincides with the beginning of the passover, a holiday that celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. Edan Alexander in the video says he hopes to return home to celebrate his family holidays.
Alexander’s Family, In A Statement, Said: “As We Begin the Holiday Evening in the US, Oura Family in Israel is Prepaling to Sit Around the Seder Table. Oour Edan, A Lone Soldier Who Immigrated to Israel and Enlisted in the Golani Held Captive by Hamas.
Family refuses to distribute video
Alexander’s family explicitly refused to permit the media for broadcasting or circulation of video. They only allowed the publication of accompanying photographs.
It seems to be under pressure
In more than three minutes, Alexander is seen in a small enclosed space. It seems to speak under pressure and doing gestures of hands and at the same time criticizing the Israeli government – specifically Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – for securing his release.
Hamas warns Israeli assault risks of hostage life
The video was released only a few hours after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the army had secured the new Moragian axis between Rafah and Khan Yunis and would expand the operations through the Gaza belt.
In a separate statement, Hamas claimed that Israeli actions threatened both civilians and hostages.
“The offensive not only kills defenseless civilians, but also makes the fate of prisoners of the occupation (hostage) uncertain,” Hamas said.
The ongoing hostage and mediation efforts
According to the Israeli bodies, the Hamas-Little Militants took 251 hostages to South October 7, which was also left by about 1,200 people of the dead. Of these hostages, there are 58 captive, including 34, which the Israeli army believes are dead.
Hamas has released several hostage videos since the beginning of the war. Israeli officials described them as a psychological war that intended to push the government.
The proportions led to a limited release of the hostages. The ceasefire that began in January was released 38 hostages and another short ceasefire liberated 33 others, including eight bodies.
Negotiations continue to mediate from the USA, Egypt and Qatar, but progress remains slow. Hamas said he would release the remaining hostages only in exchange for the end of the war and rejected the Israeli request for resignation and disarmament.
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Gaza conflict enters up to 18 months
The Israeli military campaign in Gaze-under the Ministry of Health in Hamas-Run Gaza killed over 50,000 Palestinians. Most of the area’s population has been moved and most of the region are debris.
Israeli officials insist that the military campaign will not stop until the hostages are liberated and Hamas is not demilitarized.
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