WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on July 3 met with Edan Alexander, an American who was held hostage in Gaza by the terrorist group Hamas. During the meeting in the Oval Office, Alexander said his treatment in captivity improved significantly after Trump’s election.
Alexander was captured on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel, killing almost 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage.
He was held hostage for 584 days and released in June.
“You’re an American, and we love you. We’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit—putting a lot of pressure on me,” Trump told Alexander in a phone call, a video of which was publicized by the White House.
“Like a good mom!” inserted Alexander’s mother. She also said that the release was “the greatest gift imaginable” on Mother’s Day.
“Mr. President, you’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life,” Alexander told Trump.
Alexander, who also holds Israeli citizenship and served in the Israel Defense Forces, received a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, on June 19.
Alexander was the last living American hostage to be released by Hamas.
“Hopefully, this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!”
More than 50 hostages remain in Gaza, according to public estimates.
The president is scheduled to meet at the White House next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
