JERUSALEM – Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, shared a video on Saturday featuring an Israeli-American hostage, who urges U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to help facilitate his release.

The family of the kidnapped soldier, Edan Alexander, aged 20, chose not to provide any comments but allowed the release of the 3.5-minute video. Alexander was taken during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The video depicts a visibly frail Alexander sitting in a dimly lit space, identifying himself and addressing his family, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Trump. It is uncertain whether his comments were directed by his captors.

Netanyahu remarked that the video was a form of psychological manipulation and mentioned in a conversation with Alexander’s family that efforts were ongoing to secure the hostages’ return.

It is estimated that about half of the 101 foreign and Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza remain alive.

Leaders of Hamas are anticipated to arrive in Cairo on Saturday to engage in ceasefire discussions with Egyptian officials, working towards a potential agreement for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

This renewed effort follows Washington’s announcement this week regarding a revival of efforts toward this goal.

The Hostage Families Forum implored the administrations of outgoing President Joe Biden and incoming President Trump, who will assume office in January, to intensify their actions to secure the release of hostages.

“The lives of the hostages are at stake,” they emphasized.