Hamas has 'lost contact' with group holding American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander
Fears are growing for American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander after Hamas said it lost contact with the group holding him following Israeli strikes in Gaza.
Fears are growing for Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, after Hamas said it lost contact with the group holding him following Israeli strikes on the area it was based in.
“We are still trying to reach them,” Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said in a statement Tuesday, adding that the group had come under “direct bombardment” from Israel. As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether that had changed.
NBC News was not able to independently verify Hamas’ claim and the Israel Defense Forces and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey, was doing voluntary service with Israel’s military when he was taken hostage Oct. 7, 2023, along with around 250 others. Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict.
More than 51,000 people have been killed in the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip since then, according health officials in the enclave, which has been run by Hamas since 2007.
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