“We are fighting the same fight”: Family of an American-Israeli hostage on September 11

As the world marked the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, the family of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American held hostage by Hamas since October 7, spoke of their ongoing pain. Edan, a 20-year-old Israeli army volunteer, was confirmed alive by released hostages in November.

TML: Can you introduce yourself and tell us something about Edan Alexander?

Adi Levy: I am Adi, Edan Alexander's aunt, and my sister Yael is his mother. He is their eldest son, 20 years old and grew up in New Jersey. Two years ago he graduated from high school and decided to volunteer for the Israeli army, so he moved to Israel alone. He lived in Kibbutz Hatzor and also lived with his grandparents in Tel Aviv.

Edan, I miss him so much. He is such a good, caring guy. He is quiet but very popular, always surrounded by friends and very funny. He is the kind of person who always says yes – whenever I told him I was going somewhere with my kids and asked him if he wanted to come, he always came. He loves family time and having dinner together. He has a younger sister, Mika, who just started college, and a younger brother, Roy, who had his bar mitzvah about six months ago. They are all very close.

TML: How has the family been since October 7?

Adi Levy: Since October 7th they have had a really hard time. Everything has changed. We can't breathe properly; every breath feels like a heavy stone and you feel like you don't deserve it because Edan can't breathe. We don't know if he still has hope, but I hope so.

It's been almost a year and we don't sleep. Our nights are short and we don't feel anything – we just get everything done with interviews, meetings and all that, but most of the time we just cry. My mother celebrated her 70th birthday.^th Birthday a few days ago and we just sat together, had breakfast and cried. We cried so much because how can we celebrate with such a big hole in our hearts? Edan is still here. We can't let go.

After we stopped crying, we wished my mother strength and hoped that she would continue to be strong. And we hope that Edan and the other 100 hostages will return so that we can feel again, be happy and whole again. But that's just how our life is.

TML: Do you have any information about Edan's well-being? Do you know if any of the rescued hostages were with him?

Adi Levy: Yes, we know that Edan is alive. Hostages who were released in November said they saw him. They told us that he gave them strength, told them that everything would be fine and even smiled. That was in November. So we hope that he stays strong and does not lose hope.

TML: Did your family have contact with the American government?

Adi Levy: My sister flies to Israel every three weeks and to Washington every month. They have met President Biden three times and Antony Blinken several times. Blinken always meets with us first when he comes to Israel, which is very nice of him. We have seen him in Israel at least six times. The American government has given us a warm embrace, but after eleven months we are still in the same situation. This is our reality.

The worst thing about this reality is that it feels like it's becoming normal. It's like people are OK with the fact that there are hostages and that we've been at war for 11 months. People seem to have forgotten the terrible things that have happened. Just a few days ago, six hostages were murdered by Hamas. This is not OK and it can't go on like this. I mean, the hostages should come home. Now. It's time for a deal. Enough is enough. What are we waiting for? We need a deal now.

Yael Alexander, mother of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, pauses during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, March 6, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

TML: Have you and your family received similar support from the Israeli government?

Adi Levy: Well, not quite. That's a difficult question. We don't think the release of the hostages is the top priority. They think there is still time. There is not enough pressure, but I don't think the blame is solely on the Israeli side. Both sides need to work towards an agreement, but Hamas thinks differently. This whole situation was not what Israel wanted. October 7 was a holiday, and Hamas launched this attack thinking it would be a big deal.

I am sure that the long-term goal is the release of all the hostages. It is important that we remain united and keep up the pressure for an agreement because we cannot continue to live like this. Some people believe that this is affecting Hamas, but the reality has not changed. The hostages must come back. No price is too high for their return.

TML: Does Israel give priority to hostages despite the security risks?

Adi Levy: I cannot speak about Israel's security because I am not in the military, but I can quote Defense Secretary Gallant. He said, “Remaining in the Philadelphia Corridor would cost the lives of hostages.” Benny Gantz also said, “Israel can and will return to the Philadelphia Corridor if necessary.”

So if they say that, what else can I say? The situation is not good, and it wasn't good before October. The situation will remain complicated even after the hostages are released.

TML: What are your hopes for the next few weeks?

Adi Levy: Yes, we need more pressure – from the Israeli government, the US and Qatar. Qatar has a close relationship with Hamas; they fund Hamas. They created this monster. They should do whatever it takes to put an end to this tragedy. Egypt and the international community must step up, put pressure on Hamas and bring everyone home.

We want this to stop. Hamas doesn't want it to stop – they executed six hostages in cold blood. Their families will never be reunited. That's the hole we feel too. Like the emptiness left when Hersh was murdered.

Edan Alexander and a cousin. (Courtesy of Adi Levy)

TML: Do you think the government is avoiding a deal to save itself and keep Netanyahu in power?

Adi Levy: I don't know. I really hope not. I want to believe they're doing everything they can. Releasing the prisoners is a mitzvah, a good deed. In the Jewish tradition, releasing hostages is one of our core values. Many people in our government are religious, so I hope they remember that and follow those values.

TML: Do you think that leaders like [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and [National Security Minister Itamar] Does Ben-Gvir follow these values?

Adi Levy: No. But I'm not sure I should say that. To be honest, based on their actions and statements in the press, I don't see why they urgently need the hostages released.

TML: Would you like to share one final message?

Adi Levy: Yes, I want to say that today is September 11th and many Americans remember the horrific attack by the Taliban. Hamas terrorists are no different from the Taliban or other Islamic extremists. We are fighting the same fight and we need to come together, apply pressure and do everything we can to bring everyone home and put an end to this.