Can political shifts in the US bring new hope for Israeli hostages?

As the chances of a hostage deal seem to be diminishing by the day, the American grandmother of a soldier held captive in Gaza pleads with President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to work together for a solution.

Eden Alexander, a twenty-year-old lone soldier from New Jersey, was missing for five days after October 7. When his friends finally recognized him in footage of Hamas terrorists taking him captive along with other soldiers, his family was initially relieved and happy that he was alive. That relief soon turned to anguish as the hostage situation continued for over a year. Now, Alexander’s grandmother in the US is appealing to both Biden and Trump simultaneously:

“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 the election of Trump will bring for Israel is rife, but Ben Baruch has expressed optimism, saying, “I think maybe there is new hope.”

Hostage negotiations have effectively ground to a halt as Israel’s governing coalition remains determined to crush Hamas completely, and any chance of the terror group’s ability to rearm. The dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, 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, since Gallant had consistently worked to bring assurance to 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 US 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 high school he decided he wanted to join Golani as a lone soldier, to the surprise of his parents Adi and Yael Alexander. He was serving near the Gaza border on October 7. Shortly after the rockets began falling, Alexander called his mother who was also in Israel at the time to tell her he was safe, but it wasn’t long before she lost contact with him.

“I texted him repeatedly and again and nothing came through,” his mother said in an interview on CNN.

There are posters, stickers, and paintings in every corner and available space throughout Israel. The nation is replete with constant reminders that there are still over 100 hostages held in Gaza. The whole country feels the pain of the families as the hostage crisis continues.