Video released by Hamas shows American-Israeli hostage held in Gaza

Palestinian militant group Hamas released a video of Israeli-American hostage soldier Edan Alexander pleading for President-elect Donald Trump to secure his release. Alexander was abducted during a Hamas attack on southern Israel in 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the video cruel psychological warfare and assured Alexander’s family that Israel was working to bring the hostages home. There are still 101 hostages held in Gaza, with around half believed to be alive. The families of the hostages are urging both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to step up efforts to secure their release. Hamas leaders are set to meet with Egyptian officials in Cairo for ceasefire talks to explore ways to secure the release of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The U.S. has expressed a renewed commitment to this goal. The situation remains tense as the hostages’ lives hang in the balance.

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