I’m weak, but getting better,’ freed hostage tells Netanyahu in phone call

In a call with Edan Alexander and Steve Witkoff, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails the captive’s return and praises IDF readiness if no Hamas deal is reached.

Freed hostage Edan Alexander said he is weak but slowly recovering, in the phone call with Netanyahu earlier in the day, in a video of the call shared by the premier’s office.

“Craziness, craziness, it’s unbelievable,” Alexander says at the top of the call. Asked how he is feeling, the soldier replies haltingly, “I’m okay. Weak, but little by little, I’ll get back to what was before. It’s all a matter of time.”

Netanyahu praises Israel’s medical teams for helping the ex-captive recover, and tells him, “You really sound like you’re on the right track,” ordering the 21-year-old to listen to their medical advice.

The premier also says Israel is “rejoiced” following his return and that the country is ready to fight Hamas if no wider hostage deal is reached.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff also participated in the call held during the envoy’s visit to the hospital where the dual national is recovering this morning.

“You have one brave Israeli soldier there — who is also a champion of America and Israel together, and we’re very very happy and very grateful to the help you and President Trump gave us,” Netanyahu tells Witkoff in English.

“And we of course value his [Alexander’s] comrades, the Israeli soldiers who are ready to take whatever action if our other friends, our other hostages, are not released, so it’s a great moment,” continues the premier.

Witkoff responds by saying, “Mr. Prime Minister, I told Edan and his family everything you have done to make this possible over the last several days. It was a tense negotiation, and it was critical how you were, how you allowed the negotiations to operate, and that’s in large part the reason that Edan is home with his family today.”