Israel's renewed Gaza strikes put last living US hostage at risk, family warns
Israeli American Edan Alexander was due to be released in the second phase of the ceasefire.
WASHINGTON — The family of the last living American held hostage by Hamas fears he is in greater danger as a result of Israel’s renewed bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Edan Alexander, 21, is a New Jersey native who was serving in the Israeli military when he was abducted during Hamas’ surprise assault on southern Israel in October 2023. His father, Adi Alexander, described an “emotional roller coaster" as Israel resumed airstrikes on the Palestinian territory on Tuesday.
"The strikes can put hostages at risk as they did before," Alexander told Al-Monitor. He referenced a recent New York Times report that found at least 41 hostages have died in captivity since Oct. 7 — some were killed in Israeli airstrikes, and others were executed by the militants as Israeli soldiers closed in.
“It's of great concern,” Alexander said. “Hopefully this operation will be limited and with one purpose: to get the parties back to the bargaining table.”
