'You Left Me Here': Hamas Releases Video Of Israeli-American Hostage Criticising Netanyahu
The three-minute-long video was published by Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, showing Alexander seated in a small, enclosed space, expressing his desire to return home to celebrate holidays.
Hamas on Saturday released a video appearing to show an Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander alive, and criticising the Israeli government for not securing his release. The video was published by Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and runs for more than three-minute.
According to a report by AFP, Alexander served as a soldier in an elite infantry unit on the Gaza border and was identified by Israeli campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. He was abducted by Palestinian militants on October 7 during their attack on Israel.
It shows Alexander seated in a small, enclosed space, expressing his desire to return home to celebrate holidays. However, it remains unclear when the video was filmed.
The video was released as Israel is currently marking Passover, the holiday that commemorates the biblical liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The hostage turned 21 in captivity. Born in Tel Aviv, he grew up in the US state of New Jersey, but returned to Israel after completing high school to join the army.
"As we begin the holiday evening in the USA, our family in Israel is preparing to sit around the Seder table," Alexander's family said in a statement released by the forum.
"Our Edan, a lone soldier who immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the Golani Brigade to defend the country and its citizens, is still being held captive by Hamas. When you sit down to mark Passover, remember that this is not a holiday of freedom as long as Edan and the other hostages are not home," the family added, as stated in the AFP report.
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What Edan Alexander Said In The Video
In the video, Alexander appears to be speaking under duress, constantly making hand gestures as he criticises Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government for failing to secure his release.
He can be seen questioning the Israeli government and US President Donald Trump's administration on why he is still being held captive and requests he be released and allowed to return to his family safely.
“It seems we are not wanted…and we have been deserted here. I am collapsing because of this disgusting world and disgusting Israeli government. Every day, I see that he – Netanyahu – controls the country like a dictator,” Alexander said in the video.
"I am collapsing physically and mentally. Three weeks ago, I heard that Hamas was ready to release me. However, you refused and left me here! Tell me..why? Why am I here and not at home with my family and friends? Why am I filming my second video today? Why?" he said.
He further slams the Israeli government, the American administration for lying to him. "Everyone lied to me – my people, the Israeli government and the American administration. The army and everyone else,” he added.
Watch full video here:
Al-Qassam Brigades released new footage today of an Israeli captive with American citizenship in their custody, saying:
— Yemen Military 🇾🇪 (@Yemenimilitary) April 12, 2025
"Why am I here? Hamas was about to release me, but you refused."
The video was released hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that the military had taken control of the new Morag axis between the southern Gaza cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis. Katz also revealed plans to intensify Israel's ongoing offensive throughout the Gaza Strip.
In another statement released on Saturday, Hamas stated that Israel's operations in Gaza not only endangered Palestinian civilians but put the remaining hostages at risk.
The offensive not only "kills defenceless civilians but also makes the fate of the occupation's prisoners (hostages) uncertain", Hamas said.
Palestinian militants took 251 hostages during their October 7 attack on Israel in 2023, which triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. As of now, 58 hostages remain in captivity, including 34 whom Israel claims are dead.
During a recent ceasefire that concluded on March 18 when Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza, militants released 33 hostages, including bodies of eight individuals.
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