Video of Israeli-American Hostage Emerges Amid Passover Celebrations

On Saturday, Hamas shared a video that allegedly shows Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier captured by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023. In the video, which is undated, Alexander identifies himself and expresses his confusion over why he remains imprisoned after 551 days, urgently asking for his freedom.

The release of this video comes as Jewish communities around the world observe Passover, a holiday that symbolizes liberation. Alexander's family issued a statement recognizing the video, emphasizing that the holiday's message of freedom will not be fulfilled as long as Edan and 58 other hostages continue to be held captive in Gaza.

Throughout the ongoing conflict, which has now reached its eighteenth month, Hamas has disseminated various videos showing hostages appealing for their release. However, Israeli officials have characterized these videos as propaganda intended to exert pressure on the government. In January, a ceasefire led to the release of 38 hostages, but this truce ended in March as Israel resumed military operations in Gaza after Hamas rebuffed proposals for extending the ceasefire without concluding the hostilities.