Edan Alexander’s grandma: Trump is a ‘messenger from God’ for securing hostage’s release

Varda Ben Baruch, whose grandson Edan Alexander is expected to be released by Hamas later today, says that US President Donald Trump is a messenger from God for securing the release of the hostage soldier.

“I am very happy that he will meet the US president,” Ben Baruch says, referring to the fact that Alexander is expected to fly to Doha to meet Trump.

“Trump made all the efforts and he is a good messenger of the Holy One, blessed be He. Thank God that the government cared about him,” she says, according to the Ynet news site.

“Thank God, today we get to welcome him, it’s the day he was born again,” she says. “I thank God, Trump, Witkoff and also Netanyahu.”

“We are waiting for the officer who will come and tell us that he has been handed over,” she says. “We don’t know how he will be. I hope he is safe and well physically and mentally.”

Ben Baruch is a prominent figure in the protests to secure the release of the hostages. She also thanks the family that adopted Alexander when he moved to Israel as a lone soldier: “Thank you so much for everything you did for Edan that I know came from the heart.”

Ben Baruch says she sent Bukhari pastries beloved by her grandson to her daughter Yael so that she can give them to him when he is released.

A photo circulated on social media shows her packing up the food alongside Alexander’s aunt.

ורדה, סבתו של עידן אלכסנדר כבר הכינה לו את האוכל שהוא אוהב, ככה הוא ירגיש ביטחון שהוא בבית, הסבירה.
אחת הנשים הכי חזקות ומלאות עוצמה שפגשתי. הייתה כמעט בכל עצרת, הגיעה לדבר בכל מקום שקיבל אותה, לא עצרה לרגע.
איזו התרגשות שהיא תחבק את עידן סוף סוף בקרוב.
לכל המשפחות מגיע החיוך… pic.twitter.com/fVAB0Cefpl

— Michal Peylan • מיכל פעילן (@michalpeylan) May 12, 2025