In a new video released by Hamas on December 1, 2024, Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old American-Israeli hostage, directly addresses US president-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his message, Alexander urges Israelis to pressure their government to secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack, which resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, 97 hostages remain captive, with 34 confirmed dead [fa3d8e77].
This video comes amid growing public outrage in Israel over the government's handling of the hostage crisis, particularly after the tragic discovery of six hostages' bodies in Gaza. Protests erupted across the country, with hundreds of thousands demanding accountability from Netanyahu, who has faced intense criticism for failing to secure the release of hostages [afa474ab][0b27b50f]. The October 7 attack, which led to 1,207 Israeli deaths, has significantly escalated tensions, with retaliatory actions resulting in over 44,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health ministry figures [fa3d8e77].
Netanyahu condemned the video featuring Alexander as psychological warfare, asserting that Israel is actively working to bring all hostages home [fa3d8e77]. The protests, which included demonstrations outside Netanyahu's residence and the US embassy, were organized by the Histadrut labor union, marking the first nationwide strike since the October 7 attack [afa474ab]. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has also called for participation in a major protest in Tel Aviv, reflecting the deepening frustration among the public regarding the government's response [a42121eb].
As negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release continue to stall, the situation remains precarious. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has publicly blamed Netanyahu for sabotaging negotiations, further complicating the internal dynamics of the coalition government [afa474ab]. Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hiya, a senior Hamas official, has stated that there will be no agreement for the release of hostages or a cease-fire without the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from key areas in Gaza [ac6bfa53].
In a related development, four Israeli hostages recently rescued from Gaza were reunited with their families in Tel Aviv after being evaluated at a local hospital. This reunion occurred on June 9, 2024, marking a moment of relief for the families after months of uncertainty [1222d0a8][d6c76ab4]. The ongoing violence has further complicated the humanitarian situation, with Israeli airstrikes targeting a school in Gaza City, resulting in numerous casualties [ac6bfa53]. The American Federation of Teachers has expressed support for the Israeli labor movement's general strike call, highlighting international solidarity with the protests [ac6bfa53].