Hostage drama: Edan Alexander's desperate appeal before Passover

Hostage drama: Edan Alexander's desperate appeal before Passover

On April 12, 2025, the militant group Hamas released a new video of hostage Edan Alexander. The 21-year-old former soldier, who was kidnapped during a Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, expresses in the video his desire to return home in time for the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began Saturday evening and runs until April 20. In his appeal, Alexander sharply criticizes the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he sees the hostages' hope of a timely release as dwindling and time is working against them. The video was released by the Essedin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and shows the desperate situation of the hostages.

Edan Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv and grew up in the US state of New Jersey, returned to Israel after graduating from school to begin his military service. His family has called on the public to remember all the hostages during Passover. She emphasizes that it is not a celebration of freedom as long as Edan and the other hostages are not home. According to current reports, out of 59 Hamas hostages, only 24 men are still alive, exacerbating the already critical situation.

Protests and political tensions

As a first step, three hostages, all women, were released on Sunday evening. But there are grave concerns in the right-wing political camp that this deal could see Israel making a mistake of similar proportions to that of the 2006 release of a Hamas leader. Protests against the deal have now led to blockades of major roads, while in Jerusalem the health team of the hostages' families is preparing for the return of the first hostages.

Preparing for the return of the hostages

Six hospitals in Israel were chosen to treat the hostages, who may have suffered serious physical and psychological harm. The Ministry of Health has drawn up specific guidelines for the medical care of these people. Psychologists are on hand to prepare the hostages' relatives for emotional challenges, while neutrally designed hospital rooms are intended to help avoid sensory overload.

In addition, relatives need comprehensive support during the return and rehabilitation of their loved ones. Despite hopes for a gradual return of the hostages over the next 42 days, a protest movement against the deal is forming, while the group of hostage relatives may be in danger of disintegrating. How sueddeutsche.de reports, this is a highly sensitive issue that has far-reaching political and social implications.

The current situation impressively shows the fragility of the conflict in the Middle East, while the hostage-taking and political conflicts continue to keep the country in suspense. Developments in the coming days will be crucial, both for the hostages like Edan Alexander, as well as for the family and the broader political climate in Israel.