JERUSALEM: Palestinian militant group Hamas published a video of an Israeli-American hostage on Saturday, in which he pleads for US President-elect Donald Trump to secure his release from captivity.
The family of hostage soldier Edan Alexander, 20, declined to comment but permitted the 3-1/2 minute video to be published. Alexander was abducted to Gaza during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel.
The video shows a pale-looking Alexander sitting in a dark space against a wall, identifying himself, addressing his family, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. It is unclear whether his statement was scripted by his captors.
Netanyahu said in a statement that the video was cruel psychological warfare and that he had told Alexander’s family in a phone call that Israel was working tirelessly to bring the hostages home.
Around half of the 101 foreign and Israeli hostages still held incommunicado in Gaza are believed to still be alive.
Hamas leaders were expected to arrive in Cairo on Saturday for ceasefire talks with Egyptian officials to explore ways to reach a deal that could secure the release of hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners.
The fresh bid comes after Washington said this week it was reviving efforts toward that goal.
The Hostages Families Forum urged the administrations of both outgoing US President Joe Biden and Trump — who takes office in January — to step up efforts in order to secure a hostage release.
“The hostages’ lives hang by a thread,” it said.
Hamas military arm releases new video of Israeli hostage in Gaza
https://arab.news/rzaxf
Hamas military arm releases new video of Israeli hostage in Gaza
- The family of hostage soldier Edan Alexander, 20, declined to comment but permitted the 3-1/2 minute video to be published
- The video shows a pale-looking Alexander sitting in a dark space against a wall
Jordan, France discuss expanding cooperation in transport sector
- Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin met French Ambassador to Jordan Franck Gellet
AMMAN: Jordan and France have discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation across the transport sector, including air, land, rail and maritime links, during talks in Amman on Saturday.
Minister of Transport Nidal Qatamin met French Ambassador to Jordan Franck Gellet to explore opportunities for strengthening technical and operational partnerships, as well as sharing expertise to support the modernization of Jordan’s transport infrastructure, Jordan News Agency reported.
The talks focused on improving planning, service delivery and operational systems in line with the kingdom’s growing transport needs.
“Jordanian-French relations are longstanding and built on mutual trust,” Qatamin said, highlighting Jordan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with France and benefiting from French experience in developing a modern and efficient transport system.
Gellet reaffirmed France’s readiness to broaden cooperation, particularly in infrastructure upgrades and enhancing service efficiency, adding that such efforts would support economic growth and facilitate trade and mobility.
Both sides agreed to maintain coordination and examine potential joint projects aligned with Jordan’s transport priorities, highlighting their intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the sector, JNA added.
