(NewsNation) — The father of an American IDF soldier held hostage in Gaza dismissed Hamas’ claims that it has lost contact with the group holding his son, comparing it to previous false statements from the terrorist organization.
“I can’t really comment on Hamas’ tweets,” said Adi Alexander, father of 21-year-old hostage Edan Alexander. “This is what happened last time when another American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s video, was released the day after. It was the same claim.”
His comments come as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas used harsh language toward Hamas, calling them “sons of dogs” and demanding they release the hostages, specifically mentioning the American IDF soldier.
Meanwhile, Hamas has claimed it lost contact with the cell holding Edan Alexander, though these claims remain unconfirmed.
“We urge everybody to go back to the bargaining table, start talking again and at least get this bridging deal out,” Adi Alexander told NewsNation.
Alexander specifically called for greater involvement from Adam Boehler, Trump’s special hostage negotiator, who has secured the release of over 40 wrongfully detained Americans in the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
“The closest [Edan] got to get out from this situation is only through Adam’s efforts,” Alexander said. “We [are] urging Adam and the special envoy with the State Department to keep pushing forward to release all Americans.”
The family’s frustration extends to the Israeli government after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that freeing hostages was not the most important goal of the war in Gaza.
“It’s really heartbreaking … this is absolutely a disgrace,” Alexander said about Smotrich’s comments.
When asked about the emotional toll of waiting for news about his son, who was taken hostage during a gap year in Israel, Alexander expressed disappointment that what he thought would last weeks or months has stretched beyond 18 months.
“Where is the outrage, and why is the press not knocking on the Prime Minister’s door asking, where is the second phase?” Alexander questioned, referring to the stalled second phase of hostage releases that was expected to follow initial releases in late 2023.