Survivors of Hamas captivity urge Netanyahu and Trump following Edan Alexander's liberation
Rewritten Article:
Freeing the Forgotten: A Brother's Relentless Fight for Hamas Captives' Freedom
Iair Horn, a freed Argentinian-Israeli hostage, stands firm in his battle to rescue his brother from Hamas's clutches. Join us as we delve into his journey and shed light on the ongoing struggle for hostages' freedom, with a nod to President Donald Trump for his pivotal role in Horn's release.
Rescued hostages from Hamas's grips are pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to act swiftly to free the remaining captives, even if it means momentarily halting military operations.
With the recent release of American-Israeli Edan Alexander, 65 Hamas captives' survivors voice their plea. Urging Netanyahu, Trump, and Witkoff not to seize this historic chance, they implore the leaders to "ensure this historic momentum doesn't cease."
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands warmly at the White House. (Reuters/Elizabeth Frantz)
*EDAN ALEXANDER'S RELEASE: A BEACON OF OPPORTUNITY FOR A WIDER HOSTAGE DEAL*
Back in 2023, Hamas captured 251 hostages, 12 of them American citizens. Keith Siegel, Edan Alexander, and Sagui Dekel-Chen have all been set free. Hersh Goldberg-Polin's body was taken out of Gaza in August 2023, while Hamas still holds the remains of multiple American citizens confirmed dead: Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Judith Weinstein Haggai, and Gadi Haggai.
Israeli supporters hold signs and flags during a rally in Jerusalem, calling for an exchange deal with Hamas to free the remaining captives. (Menahem Kahanna/AFP via Getty Images)
*CRAVED VOICES OF FREED HOSTAGES: "TRUMP WAS GOD-SENT" TO SAVE US, BUT THE CRY FOR MORE STILL REZONATES*
One of the former captives, Siegel, has joined the chorus for the freedom of those who remain in Gaza, irrespective of their nationality. He once thanked Trump for securing his release and even credited the president with saving his life. Now, he echoes the calls of other freed Hamas captives for their peers' release.
President Donald Trump holds a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Responding to a request for comment, the White House guided our source to the comments Trump made during an address in Saudi Arabia.
"In Gaza, my administration seeks a future of safety and dignity for the Palestinian people. Yet, that can't occur as long as Gaza leaders rejoice in acts of violence against the innocent. I appreciate the constructive role regional leaders have played in finding a resolution to the conflict, such as securing the release of American hostage Edan Alexander. His release was a significant day and a very crucial step towards ending all hostilities and moving closer to peace."
During the president's recent Middle East tour post-Alexander's release, efforts have been made to negotiate deals that benefit the U.S.—and potentially Israel—though it remains unclear how these negotiations relate to the remaining hostages.
The president suggested Syria join the Abraham Accords and establish diplomatic relations with Israel, contingent upon sanctions relief and the deportation of "Palestinian terrorists." Syria would also be expected to aid the U.S. in preventing ISIS's resurgence and managing detention centers in northeast Syria.
Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the matter.
Rachel Wolf, our website Digital's breaking news writer, has contributed to this report.
- In the ongoing efforts for hostage releases, pressured by the freed captives themselves, leaders such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff must swiftly work to free the remaining captives, even if it requires a temporary halt in military operations.
- With Edan Alexander's release, there is now a beacon of opportunity for a wider hostage deal, considering Hamas had captured 251 hostages in 2023, 12 of them American citizens, and although some have been set free, the remains of multiple American citizens like Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, Judith Weinstein Haggai, and Gadi Haggai are still held in Gaza.
- The craving voices of the freed hostages still resonate, as they credit President Trump for their release and thank him for potentially saving their lives. However, they continue to echo the calls for the freedom of their peers still held in Gaza, transcending nationality and urging for mutual peace and safety.
