the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Tenafly NJ, the father of Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage still held by Hamas, remains optimistic about his son’s release, despite growing concerns over the condition of recently freed captives.
Adi Alexander expressed his gratitude for the hostages released in recent weeks as part of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. However, he was deeply disturbed by their frail appearance, which he says underscores the urgency of securing the release of the remaining captives.
Concerns Over Hostage Conditions Grow
“The young men released on Saturday looked too skinny for my eyes,” Alexander said. “And of course, the others that were released looked like they were from something out of ‘Schindler’s List’.”
He acknowledged that the hostages are enduring harsh conditions while in Hamas captivity and emphasized the difficult negotiations required to secure their release.
Ongoing Ceasefire & Hostage Exchange
The ceasefire deal, brokered in mid-January, initially facilitated the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in Gaza. However, the negotiations have been tense, with hostages often handed over in staged public events that Israeli officials have condemned as inhumane.
On Saturday, Hamas released six more hostages, completing the first phase of the agreement. This week, the bodies of four deceased captives are expected to be returned.
The second phase of negotiations remains uncertain. While the ceasefire is set to end on March 1, U.S. and Israeli officials continue to push for an extension, hoping to secure the release of the remaining hostages, including Edan Alexander.
A Father’s Hope: “We Are Waiting, But Not Patiently”
Alexander, who turned 21 while in captivity, was serving in an IDF infantry unit near the Gaza border when he was taken hostage during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Though some previously released hostages have reported seeing Edan in good spirits, his family remains anxious for his return.
“I am optimistic because Trump is not a politician—he’s a businessman who just wants to get people out,” Adi Alexander said.
He also noted that there have been discussions about a new deal that could secure the release of all remaining hostages at once. “We are waiting for this to happen,” he said. “We are not waiting patiently, but we are waiting.”
Pressure on U.S. Officials to Secure Release
Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who represents Tenafly, recently traveled to Qatar to meet with negotiators and U.S. embassy officials working to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
“The key is keeping everyone at the table and continuing negotiations,” Gottheimer said. “We have to keep the pressure on to get them all home.”
As the situation unfolds, Edan’s family urges the public to keep his story front and center. “He is the last living American in Gaza, and we need to push for this second phase and for the end of the war,” Adi Alexander said.
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Why is it one of Israel’s hostages/prisoners always gets exchanged for about 200 of those murderous bastards?
It’s a good question. What if you took, say, five minutes to think about it. The answer might surprise you.
Of course I know the answer. One Israeli life is worth 100s of those ragheads.