The hostage of Liberated Americans-Israelis, Edan Alexander, spoke to President Donald Trump on the phone on Tuesday during a call made on the phone of us special to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who arrived at the hospital to visit him.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke by phone with Alexander, said his office, and published a video of the Prime Minister during the conversation during which the former hostage said he was weak, but recovering after his event.
Alexander was released from captivity in the Gaza Strip on Monday in what was described as a goodwill gesture of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Trump before the president’s visit to the region.
Witkoff and Alexander “had the opportunity to speak with (President Trump), whose management has made this possible. We remain determined to bring back each last hostage home,” said the envoy in an article in his office on X.
“I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him at home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by his courage and his resilience. His return gives hope to so many people,” added Witkoff.
In his own conversation with Alexander, Netanyahu spoke of the national celebration at his release and asked questions about his well-being.
The American special envoy Steve Witkoff, on the left, welcomes the hostage Edan Alexander to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center on May 13, 2025. (Office of the Special Envoy in the Middle East / X))
“It’s so good to hear you,” said Netanyahu.
“Incredible, incredible,” said Alexander respondent.
Netanyahu asked Alexander what he felt, to which the latter replied: “Okay. Low software slowly, slowly, we will come back to the way things were before. This is just a matter of time.”
Netanyahu told Alexander to hug his parents, who were with him during the call, and that “all Israel embraces you three. Today, we are all one family. ”
During the appeal, Netanyahu also spoke with Witkoff, who congratulated the Israeli Prime Minister of his role in the activation of the Liberation, which was considered to be an achievement of the Trump administration rather than an Israeli achievement.
“We are very happy with the help you and President Trump brought us,” Netanyahu told Witkoff, adding that other Israeli soldiers are ready to “take measures” if the remaining hostages are not released.
“Mr. Prime Minister, I told Edan and his family everything you have done to make it possible in the past few days,” said Witkoff.
Describing the negotiations for the liberation of Alexander as “tense”, Witkoff said that he was “critical” that Netanyahu had “allowed” the talks between the United States and Hamas -of which Israel was not part -.
“This is a large part of the reason why Edan is at home with his family today,” said Witkoff.
Witkoff also mediated this telephone call, according to a YNET report. The Prime Minister’s office did not immediately respond to a confirmation of details.
I was honored to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him at home. After months in captivity, the world is inspired by its courage and its resilience. His return gives hope to so many people. We also had the opportunity to speak with @Potuswhose leadership has made this possible. We stay … pic.twitter.com/9rninnxsjy
– Office of the Special Envoy in the Middle East (@se_middleeast) May 13, 2025
Later, Witkoff, accompanied by an American special envoy on the hostages Adam Boehler, went to the Place des Otages de Tel Aviv to meet the families of other hostages still held in Gaza. Boehler flew to Israel with Alexander’s mother on Sunday as they rushed to be in the country in time for his release.
“I hope it is a headlight of hope for everyone,” said Witkoff about the remaining Gaza hostages.
“Thank goodness for President Trump. And, by the way, the Prime Minister (Netanyahu) has done exceptional work here, just like the Qatari Prime Minister,” said Witkoff before crossing a fray of journalists, sympathizers and security officers.
President Trump sent @Stevewitkoff Said to me: The release of Edan Alexander is a headlight of hope pic.twitter.com/ftlxbn3dam
– Amichai Stein (@ Amichaistein1) May 13, 2025
“I think there is a better chance now than before”, to conclude an agreement with Hamas which sees the 58 hostages remaining in Gaza, said Boehler, when it was asked for the probability of a broader agreement.
“I think Hamas knows that they can conclude an agreement every day they want. They must approach Trump, they must approach (Netanyahu), and they have to put this in the right direction,” added the envoy.
Asked about what Israel decides to make war in Gaza after Trump is returning to the region this week, Boehler replied: “I think it is to Israel and they will consult the president. I cannot say it.”
“The only thing I will say is that it is a moment for the Israelis. It is extremely important for Edan Alexander to be put forward, to be released, and I think there is hope for change now,” he said.
When asked if the United States is determined to bring back all the hostages, including non-Americans, Boheler said: “The president said” all hostages “and something that you will find with this president is that he holds his word.”
The special envoy of American president Donald Trump on hostages, Adam Boehler, center, visits the square hostages to Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2025. (Miriam Alster / Flash90)
Meanwhile, Alexander’s family informed that he would not fly to Qatar to personally meet Trump in Saudi Arabia during the president’s trip to the region.
“The Alexander family confirms that for the moment, Edan will not fly to Qatar,” read a declaration of the Family forum hostage and disappeared. “The family remains in continuous contact with the Trump administration.”
According to Hebrew Media, Alexander is expected to spend at least four days in the hospital, when Trump has left the region.
The reports said on Monday that plans were underway to go to Qatar at Trump’s request, where he would personally thank the president and the Emir Qatari for movements that saw Hamas release him from captivity.
Trump, whose plane landed on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, is due to be due to Qatar on Wednesday.
SGT Staded stader. Edan Alexander, center, arrives in an FDI base near Re’im, May 12, 2025. (Israeli defense forces)
Alexander should meet Trump later this month in the White House, although a date has not yet been set, Channel 12 reported.
His adoptive father, Doron Zakser, told Kan’s public broadcaster of his great joy at seeing Alexander Freed, but also the deep distress he feels on the hostages always in Gaza, while describing the link that has been formed between the families of the hostages since October 7.
“He is omnipresent, he does not rest,” he said about the remaining hostages. “It is only when the last comes back that we will say that happiness is complete.”
“We have become one family, there is mutual responsibility,” he said.
Alexander, the last hostage living with American citizenship, was released after indirect discussions between the United States and Hamas. Negotiations have sidelined Israeli officials, who were only updated after the agreement was concluded. The 21 -year -old lonely soldier has been detained in Hamas captivity for 584 days.
In the hospital, he will undergo a series of tests and exams according to a framework which was established for all the hostages of return, reported the Walla Outlet.
Double citizen who grew up in New Jersey, Alexander served in the Golani de Tsahal brigade at the time of his abduction. Hamas kidnapped him with his base near the border community of Gaza de Nirim, known as House White House Post, during its October 7, 2023, Assault. Hamas has led some 5,600 terrorists to invade southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mainly civilians and removing 251 other people who were taken hostage to Gaza.
Hamas has taken 19 male soldiers hostage – not all in service – and seven female surveillance soldiers, who have all been returned to Israel since has been returned. Five were released in an agreement with Hamas, one was rescued and the body of one was recovered by troops.
There are 58 hostages, 35 of which were confirmed dead, still held in Gaza.
