Hamas Releases Video Messages From Israeli-US Citizen Hostages For Trump

JAKARTA - The Hamas military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigade, published a video showing an Israeli hostage who also has US citizenship speaking directly to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump.

"With respect to President Trump, I am an American-Israeli citizen who is currently being held in the Gaza Strip. As an American, I believe in the power of my country, and now I ask for your help," Eden Alexander said as quoted by Antara.

"Please use the full influence and strength of the United States to help our release. Every day it feels so heavy here, and the pain we experience continues to grow. Don't repeat the same mistakes made by President Joe Biden," he continued.

Alexander pointed out that the weapons assistance sent by the Biden administration had resulted in the deaths of the hostages. He also criticized the siege that caused hunger, hoping that he would not suffer the same fate as the other hostages who died.

In another message addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alexander revealed that he was aware of the lure of a 5 million US dollar reward for anyone who managed to bring the hostages back alive.

"A leader should protect his people and his army, but you have left us," said Alexander.

Currently, more than 10,000 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons, while in Gaza, there are an estimated 101 Israeli hostages. Hamas stated that dozens of hostages had died as a result of airstrikes that were carried out carelessly by Israel.

Criticism of Netanyahu also came from the opposition and the hostages' families. They accused Netanyahu of being reluctant to stop the war or withdraw troops from Gaza for fear of losing support in his coalition government, which is in danger of disbanding due to pressure from extreme-leaning ministers.

Meanwhile, Hamas stated that the conflict would not end unless Israel stopped its military offensive in Gaza. Since October 2023, the attack has claimed nearly 44,400 lives.

The second year of conflict in Gaza has received international attention, with many condemning Israel's actions as a systematic assassination attempt to the population.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has even issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

In addition, Israel is now facing a lawsuit over allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice over the deadly attacks that took place in Gaza.