Hamas releases a video from Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander on Eve of Passover; Family rejects video distribution | Today news

Hamas released a video on Saturday (April 12) from Israeli US hostage Edan Alexander, who was detained in Gaza for 551 days since being captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel. In the undated video, Edan Alexander introduces himself and pleads for his release and asks why he is still in captivity. The timing of the video coincides with the beginning of Passover, a holiday that celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. Edan Alexander says in the video that he hopes to return home to celebrate the holidays with his family. Alexander’s family, in a statement, said: “As we started the holidays in the US, our family in Israel is preparing to sit around the cedar table. Our Edan, a lonely soldier who emigrated to Israel and was joined in the Golani brigade to defend the land and his citizens. -Family explicitly refused to broadcast or distribute media outlets for media outlets. The lives of offensive risks the release of the video comes a few hours after Israeli defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the military had secured the new Morah axis between Rafah and Khan Yunis and would expand the operations on the Gaza strip. In a separate statement, Hamas claimed that Israel’s actions endangered both civilians and hostages. “The offensive kills not only defenseless civilians, but also makes the fate of the prisoners (hostages) of the occupation uncertain,” Hamas said. Continuous hostage crisis and mediation efforts According to Israeli authorities, Hamas-led militants took 251 hostages during their invasion on October 7 in southern Israel, who also left about 1200 people. Of the hostages, 58 remain in captivity, including 34 that the Israeli army apparently died. Hamas has released several hostage videos since the start of the war. Israeli officials have described them as psychological warfare intended to push the government. Armistice has led to limited hostage releases. 38 hostages were released, and another short ceasefire in March released another 33, including eight bodies. Negotiations continue with US, Egypt and Qatar mediation, but progress remains slow. Hamas said it would only release the remaining hostages in exchange for the end of the war and rejected Israel’s claim to surrender and disarmament. According to Hamas-managed Hamas-managed Gaza, the conflict in Gaza entered the 18th month of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza-which was in March after the collapse of ceasefire talk. The majority of the population of the area has been displaced, and a large part of the region is in ruins. Israeli officials insist that the military campaign will not stop until the hostages are freed and Hamas is demilitarized. First published: 13 Apr 2025, 12:12 am Ist