Released hostage Alexander speaks to Trump, tells Netanyahu he is weak but recovering
Witkoff visits freed captive at hospital a day after his return from Gaza, facilitates call to Trump; Alexander not well enough to travel to Qatar to meet US president, family says
Freed American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander spoke to US President Donald Trump over the phone on Tuesday in a call made on the phone of US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who arrived at the hospital to visit him.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke by phone with Alexander, his office said, and released a video of the premier during the conversation, during which the former hostage said he was weak, but recovering after his ordeal.
Alexander was released from captivity in the Gaza Strip on Monday in what has been described as a goodwill gesture from the Palestinian terror group Hamas to Trump ahead of the president’s visit to the region.
Witkoff and Alexander “had the opportunity to speak with [President Trump], whose leadership made this possible. We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home,” the envoy said in a post from his office on X.
“I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many,” Witkoff added.
In his own conversation with Alexander, Netanyahu spoke of the national celebration at his release and asked about his welfare.
“It is so good to hear you,” Netanyahu said.
“Amazing, unbelievable,” Alexander was heard responding.
Netanyahu asked Alexander how he is feeling, to which the latter responded, “Okay. Weak. Slowly, slowly, we’ll get back to the way things were before. It is just a matter of time.”
Netanyahu told Alexander to hug his parents, who were with him during the call, and that “all of Israel is hugging the three of you. Today we are all one family.”
During the call, Netanyahu also spoke with Witkoff, who praised the Israeli prime minister for his role in enabling the release, which has been seen as a Trump administration achievement rather than an Israeli one.
“We are very happy for the help that you and President Trump gave us,” Netanyahu told Witkoff, adding that other Israeli soldiers are poised to “take action” if the remaining hostages are not released.
“Mr. Prime Minister, I told Edan and his family everything that you have done to make this possible over the last several days,” Witkoff responded.
Describing the negotiations for Alexander’s release as “tense,” Witkoff said it was “critical” that Netanyahu had “allowed” the talks between the US and Hamas — which Israel was not part of — to take place.
“That’s a large part of the reason that Edan is home with his family today,” Witkoff said.
Witkoff mediated that phone call, too, according to a Ynet report. The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the details.
I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and resilience. His return gives hope to so many. We also had the opportunity to speak with @POTUS, whose leadership made this possible. We remain… pic.twitter.com/9rninnXSJy
— Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast) May 13, 2025
Later, Witkoff, accompanied by US special envoy on hostages Adam Boehler, headed to Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to meet with the families of other hostages still held in Gaza. Boehler flew to Israel with Alexander’s mother on Sunday as they rushed to be in the country in time for his release.
“I hope this is a beacon of hope for everybody else,” Witkoff said of the remaining Gaza hostages.
“Thank God for President Trump. And, by the way, the prime minister [Netanyahu] did an exceptional job here, as did the Qatari PM,” said Witkoff before walking through a scrum of journalists, well-wishers, and security guards.
President Trump envoy @SteveWitkoff tells me: the release of Edan Alexander is a beacon of Hope pic.twitter.com/ftLXbn3dAm
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) May 13, 2025
“I think there’s a better chance now than before,” to reach a deal with Hamas that sees the remaining 58 hostages in Gaza go free, Boehler said, when asked about the likelihood of a larger deal.
“I think Hamas knows that they can pull a deal any day that they want. They need to approach Trump, they need to approach [Netanyahu], and they need to set this up the right way,” the envoy added.
Asked what Israel will decide to do about the war in Gaza after Trump visits the region this week, Boehler replied, “I think that that is up to Israel and they’ll consult with the president. I can’t say.”
“The one thing I will say is, this is a moment for Israelis. It’s extremely important for Edan Alexander to be put forward, to be released, and I think there is hope of change now,” he said.
Asked if the US is committed to bringing all hostages back, including non-Americans, Boheler said, “The president has said ‘all the hostages’ and one thing you’ll find with this president is that he sticks with his word.”
Meanwhile, Alexander’s family notified that he would not fly to Qatar to meet personally with Trump in Saudi Arabia during the president’s trip to the region.
“The Alexander family confirms that as of now, Edan will not fly to Qatar,” read a statement from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. “The family remains in continuous contact with the Trump administration.”
According to Hebrew media reports, Alexander is expected to spend at least four days in the hospital, by which time Trump will have departed the region.
Reports on Monday indicated that plans were in the works to have Alexander fly to Qatar at the request of Trump, where he would personally thank the president and the Qatari emir for moves that saw Hamas free him from captivity.
Trump, whose plane landed Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, is due in Qatar on Wednesday.
Alexander is expected to meet with Trump later this month at the White House, though a date has not yet been set, Channel 12 reported.
His adopted father, Doron Zakser, told the Kan public broadcaster of his great joy at seeing Alexander freed, but also the deep distress he feels over the hostages still in Gaza, while describing the bond that formed between the families of hostages ever since October 7.
“It is pervasive, it gives no rest,” he said of concern over remaining hostages. “Only when the last one comes back will we say the happiness is complete.”
“We became one family, there is mutual responsibility,” he said.
Alexander, the last living hostage with US citizenship, was freed following indirect talks between the US and Hamas. The negotiations sidelined Israeli officials, who were updated only after the deal was struck. The 21-year-old lone soldier had been held in Hamas captivity for 584 days.
At the hospital, he is to undergo a series of tests and examinations according to a framework that has been established for all returning hostages, the Walla outlet reported.
A dual citizen who grew up in New Jersey, Alexander was serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade at the time of his abduction. Hamas kidnapped him from his base near the Gaza border community of Nirim, known as the White House post, during its October 7, 2023, onslaught. Hamas led some 5,600 terrorists to invade southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others who were taken as hostages to Gaza.
Hamas took 19 male soldiers hostage — not all of them on duty — and seven female surveillance soldiers, the latter of whom have all since been returned to Israel. Five were released in a deal with Hamas, one was rescued, and the body of one was recovered by troops.
There are 58 hostages, 35 of whom have been confirmed dead, still held in Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.