Varda Ben Baruch (right), the grandmother of Edan Alexander, 19, an Israeli army volunteer kidnapped by Hamas, attends a special Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony with families of other hostages, in Herzliya, Israel, Oct. 27, 2023 (Photo: REUTERS/Kuba Stezycki)
As the chances of a hostage deal seem to be diminishing by the day, the grandmother of a dual citizen U.S.-Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza pleaded with U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to work together for a solution.
Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old lone soldier from New Jersey, was missing for five days after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. When his friends finally recognized him in footage of Hamas terrorists abducting him, along with other soldiers, his family was initially relieved and happy that he was alive.
That relief has turned to anguish more than one year later.
Alexander’s grandmother in the United States is appealing simultaneously to the two American leaders.
“As a grandmother, I say, cooperate – Trump wants peace in this region, Biden has always said he wants to release the hostages, so work together and do something important for the lives of human beings,” said Varda Ben Baruch.
Speculation about what Trump’s administration will bring for Israel is rife, but Ben Baruch is optimistic, saying, “I think maybe there is new hope.”
Negotiations for a ceasefire-hostage release deal have effectively grounded to a halt as the IDF continues its operations to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure and eliminate the group’s capacity to rearm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier this month, who said the return of the hostages was at the top of his agenda, has caused frustration and anger among those advocating for the release of those still held captive.
“I felt he was a partner,” said Ben Baruch, noting that Gallant consistently reassured the families of the hostages.
Qatar has now backed out of mediation, pushing the possibility of a deal away even further. However, for families looking for hope, the results of the U.S. elections signal the possibility of new developments.
“We’re not involved in politics, not American and not Israeli, the families are above politics, we just want our loved ones home,” said Ben Baruch. “Edan was kidnapped because he was Jewish, not because he voted for a certain party.”
Alexander was born in Tel Aviv but was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, he decided he wanted to join the Golani Brigade as a lone soldier, to the surprise of his parents, Adi and Yael.
He was serving near the Gaza border on the morning of Oct. 7, when the Hamas terrorist organization invaded and attacked southern Israeli communities.
Shortly after the rockets began falling, Alexander called his mother, who was in Israel at the time, to tell her he was safe, but she lost contact with him shortly after.
“I texted him repeatedly and again and nothing came through,” his mother said in an interview with CNN.
Throughout Israel, there are posters, stickers and paintings that serve as constant reminders that there are still over 100 hostages being held captive in Gaza. Protesters continue to demonstrate on behalf of the hostages and their families, rallying with the urgent plea: “Bring them home.”