Video of Kidnapped Soldier Released: Idan Alexander Family Pleads for His Return from Gaza

Hamas released a video on Saturday showing kidnapped IDF soldier Idan Alexander, who has been held in captivity in Gaza for over a year. This marks the second video of Alexander since he was abducted during the October 7 attack. The release comes just hours before Passover celebrations begin, intensifying the pain for his family and supporters.

Alexander's family had requested that the video not be circulated, releasing a statement from their home in the United States:

"While we are getting up for the holiday eve in the US, the family in Israel is preparing to sit around the Seder table. Our Idan, a lone soldier who immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the Golan Heights to protect it and its citizens, is still being held captive by Hamas. So when you sit down to celebrate Passover, remember that it is not a holiday of freedom as long as Idan and the other 58 kidnapped are not home."

Following the release of the video, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Idan's parents, Yael and Adi, reassuring them that efforts are underway to bring all hostages home. According to the family, Idan was captured while serving at the “White House” outpost near Kibbutz Nirim and taken into Gaza.

In his previous video, released in November, Idan Alexander expressed deep disappointment with the Israeli government.

"Prime Minister, I heard you speaking to the people of Israel on the news, and I am very disappointed. A prime minister is supposed to protect his soldiers and civilians, and you abandoned us," he said.
He also referenced a reported $5 million offer made by Netanyahu for the return of hostages.

dan, 20, was born in Israel but raised in the United States. His parents, originally from Israel, moved to Maryland when Idan was a baby, and later to Tenafly, New Jersey. Idan chose to return to Israel through the "Tzabar" lone soldier program and served in the Golani Brigade. He was adopted by the Zaktzer family from Kibbutz Hatzor during his military service.

During the October 7 attack, according to released testimonies, Idan tried to mediate between Thai workers and the Hamas kidnappers, urging the terrorists to release the civilians.