Hamas published a new propaganda video yesterday of 20-year-old U.S. citizen Edan Alexander, who has been held hostage by Hamas terrorists for 422 days in Gaza.
The psychological terror video, played by Alexander's family last night to a crowd in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, shows the New Jersey native reading a forced script and calling on the Israeli government and the incoming Trump administration to work for his release.
"The film we received this afternoon shook me and my family," said Edan's mother, Yael. "Along with the hope it gives, it also shows how difficult Edan’s and the other hostages’ conditions are. And how they are shouting and pleading for us to save them."
Alexander was born in Tel Aviv, grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, and joined the IDF as a lone soldier after graduating from high school in 2022. He was stationed near the Gaza border on the morning of October 7 when he was taken hostage by Hamas.
He is one of seven Americans still held captive by the barbaric terrorist group in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the Alexander family yesterday and promised that "Israel is determined to take every action to bring them back home, together with all of the hostages held by the enemy."
The Biden administration emphasized that Hamas, which has repeatedly rejected American and Israeli ceasefire proposals, remains the sole obstacle to a deal to free the hostages.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CBS' Face the Nation this morning that "the key actor right now holding the decision on the ceasefire is Hamas," adding that the terror group's propaganda video "is a cruel reminder of the barbarity and the brutality of Hamas."
National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett said last night that "The war in Gaza would stop tomorrow and the suffering of Gazans would end immediately — and would have ended months ago — if Hamas agreed to release the hostages. It has refused to do so...this deal is on the table now."
America must increase pressure on Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to use the leverage it has to pressure Hamas to accept a deal and free the 101 hostages.
WATCH: Senators stand with Israel, oppose Bernie Sanders' dangerous anti-Israel resolutions
As the IDF continues to fight on multiple fronts to protect its families from Iran-backed terrorist groups, America's support for Israel's security is essential to ensuring Israel can win this war.
Last month, Bernie Sanders led a reckless anti-Israel effort -- backed by groups like J Street and Justice Democrats -- to block U.S. weapons sales to our ally and undermine Israel's security.
The majority of Senate Democrats and Republicans voted down the Sanders' resolutions to ensure the sales would go through and Israel would receive the weapons approved by the Biden administration.
Below is a compilation video of the Senators who spoke against Sanders’ resolution during the debate on the floor, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Jim Risch, Ben Cardin, Ted Budd, Lindsey Graham, John Kennedy, and Jacky Rosen:
IDF intercepts ballistic missile launched by Houthis at central Israel
Millions of Israelis across central Israel awoke to air raid sirens at 6:30 this morning, as Iran-backed Houthi terrorists launched a ballistic missile toward the Jewish state.
Shrapnel from the interception reportedly fell within Israel, but caused no major damage. Four people were lightly injured while running for shelter.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack. The Iran-backed terror group in Yemen has launched more than 220 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israel in the last 14 months.
Together, we have lobbied Congress to provide more than $4.5 billion for the lifesaving Arrow program, which continues to protect countless Israelis and prevent widespread devastation across Israel.
PM Netanyahu: Israel closely monitoring events in Syria
Prime Minister Netanyahu said today that Israel is watching developments in Syria closely and will continue to defend its interests, as rebel groups overtook the city of Aleppo from Assad regime forces.
"We are determined both to protect the vital interests of the State of Israel, and to preserve the achievements of the war," he said.
The prime minister reiterated the IDF's commitment to enforcing the ceasefire in Lebanon, adding that "any violation will immediately meet a strong response from the IDF."
For more analysis on the developments in Syria, I encourage you to read this analysis in The Times of Israel outlining how Israel's ability to weaken the Iranian axis has created a unique opportunity for rebel groups to seize power.
Former Hamas hostage Mia Schem celebrates her engagement
Twenty-two year-old Mia Schem endured 55 days of torment in Hamas captivity, including sexual abuse, confinement in a cage for multiple days, and poorly done surgery on her injured arm without any painkillers.
One year after being released in a hostage deal, Mia announced that she is engaged to her childhood friend Yinon Hasson.
Mia shared the good news on Instagram after Yinon proposed on Thursday. Mazal tov, Mia!
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