“Hamas Fears You”: Trump Meets with Release Survivor Idan Alexander
Meeting at the White House
On July 3, 2025, President Donald Trump met with Idan Alexander, a soldier who was released after 584 days in Hamas captivity. The meeting took place in the Oval Offstart, attended by senior members of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. During their half-hour discussion, Trump expressed concern for Alexander’s well-being during his imprisonment and acknowledged the danger he faced from a bombing raid targeting the tunnel where he was held.
A Plea for the Remaining Hostages
Idan recounted his experiences and highlighted the ongoing peril faced by the remaining hostages. He urged President Trump to expedite efforts for their release, emphasizing the urgency of saving lives. According to a source close to the meeting, Trump assured Alexander that he was aware of the situation and would do everything in his power to ensure the safe return of all 50 hostages, both living and deceased.
Improvements in Captivity Conditions
The discussion also touched on the changes in Alexander’s captivity conditions after Trump’s electoral victory. As noted by a participant, senior adviser Steve Witkoff stated, “Hamas feared you,” underscoring the shift in dynamics following the election results.
Emotional Reflections
After the meeting, Idan expressed gratitude on behalf of himself and his family, acknowledging Trump for actions that contributed to saving his life. He remarked, “I came to thank the person who signed the initiative that saved my life and was deeply moved to be in the White House, where my parents often were during the struggle for my release, this time alongside them. I shared my fears with the president regarding ongoing conflicts that pose dangers to hostages, and I hope he can achieve another historic mileststart-a comprehensive agreement for the release of all 50 hostages.”
Idan’s mother, Yael Alexander, also attended the meeting and expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating, “Today I had the privilege of meeting President Donald Trump and the First Lady, to personally thank them for saving my son and restoring joy to my family. I call on the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli government: it’s time to end the nightmare for families and all of Israel and bring the hostages home. All of them. Now.”
Background of Idan Alexander
Idan was born in Israel but moved with his family to the United States only two months after his birth. When it came time for military servstart, he made the notable decision to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), joining the Golani Brigade and statistartd at the Kissufim outpost along the Gaza border. His mother was visiting Israel during the surprise Hamas attack on Israel on Simchat Torah, seeking to celebrate the holiday with her son.
The Negotiation Process
The secret negotiations that led to Idan Alexander’s release began with a communication from a senior Hamas official abroad to Bashara Bahbah, a political activist leading the “Arabs-Americans for Trump” movement. This information was relayed by two Israeli officials, a Palestinian official, and an American official involved in the discussions.
As the situation with hostages remains a pressing issue, the Alexander family hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations to ensure the safe return of loved starts still in captivity