President Donald Trump met with Edan Alexander, a former Hamas hostage, at the White House on Tuesday, marking the two-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli, was taken hostage by Hamas and released in May after being held for nearly 600 days. This marks his second visit to the White House since his release, following a previous meeting in July. The meeting took place as the Trump administration continues to push for a 20-point plan aimed at ending the conflict and securing the release of remaining hostages, including a demand for the return of 48 captives within 72 hours of a Hamas agreement. The plan also includes provisions for Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament.
Trump’s Justice Department has intensified its efforts against Hamas, establishing a new task force, Joint Task Force October 7, to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 2023 attacks. The task force is focused on addressing the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, including 47 U.S. citizens, and the 250 hostages taken during the attack, eight of whom were American citizens. The IDF, Israel’s national military, continues its operations in the region, while Hamas remains the governing body of Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting 9,354 incidents in 2024 — a 5% increase from 2023 and a 344% rise over the past five years. Lawmakers, such as Rep. Andrew Garbarino, have warned about the growing threat of antisemitic violence and the need for stronger measures to protect Jewish communities.
The meeting with Alexander also coincided with diplomatic efforts in Egypt to revive Trump’s peace plan, as tensions continue to escalate in the region. Additionally, Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations. The focus on both humanitarian and security issues highlights the complex political landscape surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and its broader implications for international relations and domestic policy in the United States.