Edan Alexander said to tell family he survived tunnel collapse, was tied up during captivity

Edan Alexander has told his family that he endured torture and was bound some of the time he was held in captivity in Gaza, with his head covered so he couldn’t see, the Ynet news site reports.

The hostage has reportedly said his first days of captivity were “hell,” with Israeli strikes making him fear for his life. On one occasion, a tunnel where he was being held collapsed, but he managed to escape unscathed.

Alexander was held by senior Hamas officials and was regarded as an “asset” due to his American citizenship, the report says, adding that he was periodically updated about developments in the war and watched many interviews his parents gave on TV.

Most of the time, he ate rice, pita bread and beans, but the menu also included meat during ceasefires, Ynet reports, saying Alexander returned with bruises and many flea bites.