President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli, at the White House on Tuesday. This meeting coincides with the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including 47 U.S. citizens. Alexander, who was taken hostage by Hamas in the attack, was released in May after nearly 600 days in captivity. This marks the second time he will visit the White House since his release, following a previous meeting in July.
Trump’s administration has introduced a 20-point plan aimed at resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict. The plan includes demanding that Hamas return all 48 hostages still in captivity within 72 hours of signing a deal, along with Israeli troop withdrawal and Hamas disarmament. Additionally, Trump’s Justice Department has formed a task force focused on prosecuting those responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks. Attorney General Pam Bondi has emphasized the importance of identifying and holding accountable individuals linked to the attack, which affected over 250 hostages, including eight U.S. citizens.
Meanwhile, concerns over rising antisemitic violence in the U.S. have been voiced by lawmakers. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in 2024 reached 9,354, a 5% increase from 2023 and a 344% rise in five years. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated that the attacks are both a domestic and foreign threat, calling for increased vigilance against antisemitism. Trump also held a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the visit, highlighting ongoing trade discussions between the two nations.