The White House has denounced a harrowing hostage video released on Saturday, which shows 20-year-old Edan Alexander, a dual American-Israeli citizen, who has been held captive by Hamas terrorists for over 420 days. Alexander was serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when he was abducted during the October 7 attacks. In the footage, he appears gaunt and pale, and delivers forced messages to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President-elect Trump.
National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Sean Savett stated that the White House is aware of the footage and is in touch with Alexander’s family. He described the video as “a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror against citizens of multiple countries, including our own.”
Savett also emphasized that the war in Gaza would cease immediately if Hamas agreed to release the hostages, and that President Biden will continue to work around the clock to secure their release.
Edan Alexander was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey. He was serving in the IDF when he was abducted and has been held captive by Hamas for over 18 months. His parents have spoken publicly about their son’s ordeal, including a meeting with President-elect Trump, in which they told him about Edan’s bravery and strength in comforting others during his captivity.
The release of the hostage video comes days after a 60-day cease-fire was agreed upon between the IDF and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist group. President Biden acknowledged Hamas’ unwillingness to release its hostages, stating that the group has refused to negotiate a good-faith ceasefire and hostage deal.
