Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The father of Edan Alexander, an American citizen kidnapped by Hamas during the attacks on October 7, has issued a heartfelt plea for President Donald Trump to intervene. Adi Alexander believes that only Trump can facilitate his son’s return home after more than 18 months in Gaza.
Adi Alexander expressed his sentiments in a recent statement, sharing his trust in Trump’s capacity to influence the situation. He remarked, “To President Trump, the message is really simple. You are the only one that can actually pass it over the finish line. So, use your power, your influence, and please end it.”
Edan Alexander, who hails from Tenafly, New Jersey, enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces after graduating high school in 2022. He was stationed near the Gaza border on the day Hamas launched its devastating offensive. Tragically, during this assault, Hamas militants killed, assaulted, and abducted numerous individuals, and Edan was seized and has remained captive since that fateful day. Efforts have been made by Trump’s envoys, Adam Boehler and Steve Witkoff, to negotiate hostage exchanges that would include Edan, but all the proposals were rebuffed by Hamas.
The situation intensified recently when Hamas released a propaganda video showing Edan on April 12. In the footage, he appeared distressed and unhealthy, prompting concern among his family and friends. Although the family opted not to allow the video to be released to the media, they did permit the publication of a still image.
The family’s response to the video was emotional. Adi Alexander remarked, “We saw the video so many times, and it’s very, very, very tough to absorb this video. It’s tough to see Edan struggling like that. He’s very skinny and tired. I don’t think he’s in a good mental condition.”
As the Israel Defense Forces ramp up military action in Gaza, a total of fifty-nine hostages remain, both living and deceased. Hamas has rejected the notion of negotiating further interim agreements with Israel. The group insists that it will only discuss the release of all hostages if there is an overarching agreement to end the war. Hamas continues to vehemently deny Israel’s demands for disarmament as part of any ceasefire negotiations.
In light of these developments, Adi Alexander is urging both the Israeli government and the United States to intensify their efforts to secure the release of his son and all other captives.
Moreover, an Israeli prisoner who was previously freed has also called on Trump to take decisive action. This individual compared Trump’s potential role to that of a modern Moses, emphasizing the critical nature of bringing loved ones home from Hamas captivity.
Describing Edan, Adi shared, “He was a great kid, you know, an athlete, a swimmer, a tall kid, very funny, just an all-American kid. He found himself in this horrible situation. Just unbelievable, you know, a year and a half later, we never thought that we’d be talking in the terms of years, we thought it would be weeks, months. But we now are talking in terms of years, which is sick and twisted by itself.”
The emotional and psychological toll of Edan’s prolonged captivity has significantly impacted his family. Adi Alexander revealed that they refrained from celebrating Passover this year, a traditional Jewish holiday symbolizing liberation, as they felt there was nothing to celebrate while Edan remained a hostage.
Continuing the Fight for Hostage Release
Despite these hardships, Adi is resolute in his determination to keep the plight of hostages in public discourse. “We have to push forward, keep this issue front and center for everybody there. There are 59 hostages still in Gaza, 24 among them are living hostages. It’s a humanitarian crisis that is still ongoing, and we have to find the end to it,” he stated emphatically.
The heartbreaking situation of Edan Alexander and his family underscores the persistent struggle many face within the context of geopolitical conflicts. As Adi Alexander voices his desperate call to action, the urgency to secure the release of Edan and other hostages remains paramount. Only through concerted international efforts can there be hope for a resolution to this crisis.
