The father of one of the three Americans still alive in Gaza said he feels “optimistic” for the first time in 15 months following the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange agreement, but he’s doubtful his son will be among the first captives released.
Adi Alexander, the father of Edan Alexander, 20, praised Wednesday’s cease-fire agreement as a step forward to be reunited with his son after more than 467 days.
“It’s a long time coming. Enough is enough. We’ve been so close before and I’m happy that this time we’ve been able to pass it over the finish line,” Alexander told The Post.
Adi Alexander, the father of American hostage Edan Alexander, praised the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. LP Media
Edan Alexander, from New Jersey, was kidnapped during Hamas’ October 7 attacks.
Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to pause fighting for 42 days, allowing them to negotiate the terms of the release of the hostages remaining in Gaza. The initial wave of released hostages would include women, children, men over 50, and those who were wounded and sick.
Given the terms of the deal, Alexander, of Tenafly, New Jersey, lamented that his son would not be among the first wave freed.
Younger men, especially those who served in the Israel Defense Forces like Edan, won’t be released until the second phase of the negotiations.
Along with Edan, Israeli officials believe Americans Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, and Keith Siegel, 65, are still alive.
Alexander said the deal is a step towards bringing their son home. REUTERS/Stephani Spindel
Itay Chen was previously believed to be held hostage but was actually killed in the 7 October Hamas attacks.
Four other American captives, Omer Neutra, Itay Chen, and Gadi and Judi Haggai were confirmed dead by Israel.
The bodies of the dead are expected to be released during the third and final phase of the cease-fire, which calls on Israel to withdraw from Gaza and for international parties to oversee the rebuilding of the decimated Palestinian enclave.
Chen’s father, Ruby, told The Post that the news of cease-fire was “bittersweet,” but it was necessary to make sure the deal proceeds as planned to reunite all the families separated on Oct. 7, 2023.
“We need to have hope that the second phase happens,” Ruby said. “We need to advocate that the timeline is condensed so that the second phase starts much more quickly than what is stated today.”
A hostage sign of Edan outside a Jewish community center in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey. REUTERSDespite his pragmatism, Ruby admitted that he was still holding out some hope that incoming President Donald Trump could surprise him during his inauguration ceremony next week.
“I have this vision that President Trump hopefully finds a way to tell me, ‘Mr. Chen, I’d like to inform you that your son is also on the way coming back.’ And I’m hopeful that that might happen,” Ruby said of his son’s remains.
The families of the seven Americans held hostage in Gaza also put out a joint statement praising the deal and those involved in getting it done.
A rally calling for the return of the Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv on Jan. 15, 2025. Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images
Palestinians celebrating the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 15, 2025. AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana“We are deeply grateful that there is finally an agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring our loved ones — Omer, Edan, Sagui, Itay, Keith, Gad, and Judi — home,” the group said in a statement.
“We have been waiting for 467 days while our family members suffer from life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence. We thank President Biden, President-elect Trump, and their teams for their constructive efforts to make this possible,” the added.
“We feel hopeful that under President Trump’s leadership, every last hostage will come home.”
