The father of Edan Alexander, an Israeli hostage from New Jersey, said he was hopeful after seeing new Hamas footage of his son, but said the footage was both “exciting and disturbing.” I admitted it.
Addie Alexander of Tenafly said her 20-year-old son appeared to be in generally good health and showed courage in the “orchestrated” cruel propaganda video despite being threatened to appear in it. said.
“It’s both exciting and disturbing,” Adi told the Post in an exclusive interview Saturday night, hours after the terrorist organization posted the video.
“He looked good. He talked a lot. That's a sign of life,” the father said of his son's condition.
Edan's mother told a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday that after the video was released, she received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who assured her that “conditions were ripe” for her son to return home. spoke.
Israel has just agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, which some see as paving the way for Palestinian Hamas terrorists to quickly follow suit.
Adi Alexander said the couple's son looked a little pale in the video, likely due to being held underground in the tunnels in Gaza for so long.
Edan was in the Israel Defense Forces and stationed near Gaza when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting at least 250 more. I was doing it. Hamas still holds 101 people hostage, including Alexander and six others. Other American Israelis.
The Israeli soldier appeared in a three-and-a-half-minute video titled “Soon…Time is Running Out” where he introduced himself and said he had been a Hamas prisoner for more than 420 days.
He was then shown covering his face and crying before delivering a compulsory message in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming US President Donald Trump.
However, Adi said he also took a positive view in the video.
The fact that Edan paid attention to President Trump's election on Nov. 5 shows he's still alive, his father said.
“He strengthened us to be strong. He told us to be strong,” Adi said.
Edan spoke of his love for his siblings and grandparents.
“He said in Hebrew that he hoped this nightmare would end soon,” Adi said.
The father said he believes the “Trump effect” of Donald Trump's return as president could help accelerate the release of hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza.
“It's a window of opportunity. Both sides need to take a step forward.” “The U.S. government will be tough on friends and foes alike. Trump is the wild card.”
Mr. Adi recalled meeting Mr. Trump in person at the burial site of late Chabad Lubavitcher leader Rabbi Menachem Schneelson in Queens on October 7, 2024, the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.
“Mr. Trump is very sensitive about American hostages,” Alexander said.
The father made a similar point Sunday morning during a Manhattan rally attended by about 300 supporters to rescue hostages on the Upper West Side near Central Park.
“I am not just a father, but I also represent my son and the 101 other hostages whose lives are in danger. Thanks to this propaganda video released by Hamas, my son will be killed for the first time in over a year. I'm standing here because I saw them alive,” Addy said, as others chanted, “Let them go home!”
“It gave us a glimmer of hope and at the same time reignited the urgency of our plea. Time is running out. Edan is 20 years old and a competitive swimmer. [Boy] He’s a scout, a New York Knicks fan,” his father said.
“Every day of captivity is eternal physical and mental suffering for him and all the hostages. President Biden, President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, I call on all of you to act. There is no time for politics or hesitation right now. This is not the time for courage, cooperation and decisive action.”
The father urged President Biden to negotiate a deal “before it's too late” and advised President Trump “not to wait until January to make an impact.”
“The world is watching,” Addy said.
He said the fate of the hostages was particularly in the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him not to let this opportunity slip away.
“To those listening, friends and neighbors, Americans and Israelis, please make our voices louder and call on our leaders to secure an agreement. Call on them to act now. We are waiting. “We love you,” the father said, and supporters chanted, “You are not alone!”
Rally organizer Dana Weigrich said it was time to bring Yidan and the other hostages home.
“Edan came to Israel from New Jersey. He did the most Zionist and courageous thing an American child could do. He put his life aside and went to Israel as a lone soldier to serve his country. and chose to serve the people,” Weigrich said.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levin, who also attended the rally, said he has a son who is about Edan's age. [Edan] And while his family is going through a difficult time this morning, I want him to know he is not alone. ”
