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Israel-Hamas war: Protesters gather in Central Park after Hamas releases video of an Israeli-American hostage from New Jersey

NEW YORK (WABC) – A weekly rally in Central Park on Sunday calling for the release of all hostages will gain added weight after Hamas released a video of an Israeli-American hostage from New Jersey.

The parents of 20-year-old Edan Alexander of Tenafly are again pushing for an agreement to release all hostages after Hamas released a video Saturday of their son being kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attacks.

The video was a symbol of hope and a bittersweet moment for the Alexander family, who watched their son speak under duress after more than 420 days in captivity.

The son of Israeli parents, Alexander graduated from Tenafly High School in 2022 before moving to Israel to volunteer with the Israel Defense Forces. He served in the IDF and was stationed near Gaza when the attacks occurred.

ALSO READ: Jewish community rallies to commemorate one year since October 7 attacks

As efforts for a ceasefire continued but stalled, Alexander appealed in the video to President-elect Donald Trump to help bring him and the other hostages home.

The Hostages and Missing Families forum spoke out after the video was released, saying in part: “The urgency of bringing all 101 hostages home cannot be overstated. With time running out, we urge both the current and incoming U.S. administrations to explore all possible options.”

Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, also spoke from Tel Aviv.

“Suddenly I saw him alive and talking when he was crying, I just wanted to hold him, you know. It was very, very, very hard to watch,” she said.

In a post on X, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared his support for the Alexander family.

“Edan Alexander grew up in New Jersey and has been held hostage by Hamas for over a year,” Murphy said. “I join the Alexander family in calling on both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to do everything possible to quickly reach an agreement that brings him home safely.”

Edan Alexander’s father is expected to attend Sunday’s rally in Central Park.

ALSO READ: Hostage Omer Neutra’s family holds community basketball game in honor of their son’s 23rd birthday

Anthony Johnson has more.

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