From the Liveblog of
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Hostage Edan Alexander’s family okays publication of Hamas propaganda video. ‘Time is really running out,’ he says
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The family of Edan Alexander permits the publication of a Hamas propaganda video showing signs of life from the hostage soldier who has been held by the terror group since the October 7, 2023, onslaught.
The video was released by Hamas yesterday evening.
The three-minute-long video is not dated, though Alexander states that he has been held for 551 days, indicating it was filmed very recently.
Alexander, a US citizen, is a soldier who was stationed near the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7 when he was taken captive by Hamas terrorists.
In a statement almost certainly dictated by his captors in the Gaza Strip, Alexander says he has heard that Hamas was ready to release him three weeks ago and “you refused and left me here,” slamming the government and the prime minister.
“Tell me why, why am I not home with my friends, with my family?” Alexander asks.
Everyone has lied to me, he says. “President Trump, I really believed you would succeed in getting me out of here alive. Why did you fall for Netanyahu’s lies.”
“Why am I still here?” he screams.
משפחתו של החטוף עידן אלכסנדר מאשרת לפרסם את אות החיים מהשבי https://t.co/0X8Zoao2N1 pic.twitter.com/AdALnEmWgn
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) April 13, 2025
Alexander hails Israeli citizens’ protests for his release, and asks of Israel’s leaders: “Why don’t you stop the war?”
He adds: “I really want to believe that this clip won’t be the last time that you see me alive. I really want to get back to the people of Israel healthy and intact. Please continue to demonstrate,” he urges. “Continue to do everything in your power. … Time is running out. Friends, time is really running out.”
“Every day, we hear the bombs coming closer to our heads. It’s really hard,” he says. “We really think we’re going to come home dead. … We’re losing hope.”
It is the second video of Alexander published by Hamas. In November, Hamas released the first video of the hostage soldier.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with his parents yesterday.
Hamas has previously issued similar videos of hostages it is holding, in what Israel says is deplorable psychological warfare.
The Times of Israel Community.