Protesters rally in Central Park after Hamas releases video of Israeli-American hostage from NJ
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A weekly rally in Central Park on Sunday calling for the release of all hostages held extra weight after Hamas released a video of an Israeli-American hostage from New Jersey.
The parents of 20-year-old Edan Alexander, from Tenafly, renewed their push for a deal to free all hostages after Hamas on Saturday released a video of their son, who was kidnapped during the October 7 attacks.
The video was a symbol of hope yet a bittersweet moment for the Alexander family, who watched their son speak under duress after more than 420 days in captivity.
Edan's father, Adi Alexander, was in attendance at Sunday's rally. He says it's clear from the video that every day in captivity, his son is suffering both physically and emotionally.
"No father should hear his child plead for his life like that," his father said.
A dual citizen, Alexander is the son of Israeli parents and grew up in New Jersey. He graduated from Tenafly High School in 2022 before moving to Israel to volunteer with the Israel Defense Forces.
He was serving in the IDF and stationed near Gaza when the attacks happened.
"We were very proud of this decision, but he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.
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With ceasefire efforts ongoing yet stagnated, Alexander in the video appealed to President-Elect Donald Trump to help bring him and the other hostages home.
Similar to his son, Adi Alexander also made an appeal to world leaders at the rally, including Trump, urging the president-elect to not wait until January to make a difference. He also mentioned President Joe Biden and the tools and influence of the U.S., and reminded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the fate of the hostages rests in his hands.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum weighed in following the video's release, saying in part, "The urgency of bringing home all 101 hostages cannot be overstated. As time runs out, we urge both the current and incoming U.S. administrations to exhaust every possible option."
Meanwhile, Yael Alexander, Edan's mother, spoke out from Tel Aviv.
"Suddenly to see him alive and speaking, when he cried, I just want to hold him, you know. It was very, very, very tough to see," she said.
In a post on X, New Jersey Gov. 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 urging both the Biden Administration and incoming Trump Administration to do everything possible to quickly facilitate an agreement that brings him home safe."
Many are hoping the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah will lay the ground work for the release of their loved ones.
"This is a moment of courage, collaboration and decisive actions," Alexander's father said.
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