New Jersey hostage father Edan Alexander draws hope from ‘exciting and disturbing’ video: ‘A sign of life’

The father of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander of New Jersey says he is hopeful after his son’s new Hamas video – although he admitted the footage is both “exciting and disturbing.”

Tenafly’s Adi Alexander said his 20-year-old son appeared to be generally healthy and showed courage in the footage, despite appearing under duress in an “orchestrated” and cruel propaganda video.

“It’s exciting and disturbing at the same time,” Adi told The Post during an exclusive interview Saturday night — hours after the terrorist group released the video.

“He looked good. He spoke well. “It’s a sign of life,” the father said of his son’s appearance.

Edan’s mother said at a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called her after the video was released and assured her that “conditions were right” to bring her son home.

Israel has just agreed to a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon, which some say paves the way for Palestinian Hamas terrorists to soon follow suit.

Adi Alexander said the couple’s son looked a little pale in the video, but that was likely because he was held captive underground in a Gaza tunnel for a long time.

Edan was with the Israel Defense Forces and stationed near Gaza when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping at least another 250. Hamas still holds 101 hostages, including Alexander and six other American-Israeli citizens.

The three-and-a-half-minute video, titled “Soon…time will be running out,” featured the Israeli soldier introducing himself and saying he had been a Hamas prisoner for more than 420 days.

He was later shown covering his face and crying before delivering forced messages in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump.

But Adi said he also sees positive things in the video.

The fact that Edan acknowledged Trump’s election on November 5 shows that he is still alive, the father said.

“He strengthened us to stay strong. He asked us to stay strong,” Adi said.

Edan mentioned his love for his siblings and grandparents.

“He said in Hebrew that he hoped this nightmare would end soon,” Adi said.

The father said he believes the “Trump effect” – the return of Donald Trump as president – could help hasten the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

“It’s a window of opportunity. Each side must take a step forward,” he said. “The U.S. government will be tough on its friends and enemies. Trump is a wild card.”

Adi recalled meeting Trump in person at the gravesite of late Chabad-Lubavitch leader Rabbi Menachem Schneerson in Queens on Oct. 7, 2024 — the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.

“Trump has a very high sensitivity to the American hostages,” Alexander said.

The father made similar points Sunday morning during a rally for the hostages in Manhattan on the Upper West Side near Central Park, which was attended by about 300 supporters.

“I am not just a father, but the voice of my son and the other 101 hostages whose lives are at stake. “I stand here after seeing my son alive for the first time in over a year thanks to this propaganda video released by Hamas,” Adi said, as others shouted: “Bring her home!”

“It gave us a spark of hope and also rekindled the urgency of our appeal. Time is running out. “Edan is 20 years old, a swimmer, scout and New York Knicks fan,” the father said.

“Every day in captivity is an eternity of suffering for him and every hostage, both physical and emotional. President Biden, President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, I call on you all to act. This is not a moment for politics or hesitation. This is a moment of courage, collaboration and decisive action.”

The father urged President Biden to negotiate a deal “before it’s too late” and advised Trump not to wait until Inauguration Day in January “to make an impact.”

“The world is watching,” Adi said.

He said the fate of the hostages was particularly in Netanyahu’s hands and urged him “not to miss this opportunity.”

“To all who are listening – friends, neighbors, Americans and Israelis – please amplify our voices and call on your leaders to reach agreement.” Call on them to act now. We can’t afford to wait. I love you,” said the father as the supporters changed, “You are not alone!”

Dana Cwaigrich, a rally organizer, said it was time to bring Edan and the other hostages home.

“Edan came to Israel from New Jersey. He did the most Zionist and brave thing an American boy could do. He chose to put his life aside and go to Israel as a lone soldier and serve his country and his people,” Cwaigrich said.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who also attended the rally, noted that he has a son almost as old as Edan, “and my heart breaks just thinking about what (Edan) and his family of all people are going to do.” experience this morning. and I want him to know he’s not alone.”