'They treated me better after you won' - Freed US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander meets President Trump at White House

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted freed American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and his family at the White House on Thursday. Alexander, who served in the Israeli military, was abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, and spent 584 days in captivity in Gaza. He was released in May as a “goodwill” gesture by Hamas ahead of Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Alexander thanked Trump for securing his release from Hamas captivity and said Hamas began treating him better after Trump won the U.S. election last November.

“They moved me to a new place, a good place,” Alexander told Trump. “People did everything. They treated me really well.”

Trump responded with surprise: “Oh, so they treated you better? Wow.”

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, added, “Because you (the president) were coming in – they were afraid of you.”

“They weren’t too afraid of Biden,” Trump said.

Alexander replied with a smile: “No.”

“Terrible situation,” Trump said. “So right when we won, they treated you better? That’s something. Well, we’re very proud it helped you.”

Edan’s father, Adi Alexander, recalled the meeting during an interview with the Israeli news outlet Ynet News.

“It was an excellent meeting that lasted about half an hour,” Adi said. “Trump told Edan he was very worried about him because there was a point when contact was lost, and then they were very happy to receive a sign of life. Trump also told him that he’s very happy he’s now in America, that a bright future lies ahead of him, and that he’ll help him with whatever he needs.”

Adi said that Trump remains committed to securing the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

“He said the line he always says when families come to him, both of the living and the fallen: ‘We’re going to close the deal,’” Adi told Ynet.

Today, Edan Alexander — held hostage by Hamas for 584 days — visited the Oval Office with his loved ones. His mother, Yael, shared: “Thank you for saving my son and bringing heart back to my family.”

We remain committed to bringing every hostage home. 🇺🇸🎗️ pic.twitter.com/IBRl7CJoJO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 4, 2025

Alexander said he came to the White House to personally thank the U.S. president, crediting him with saving his life.

“I came to thank the person who signed the initiative that saved my life and I was very moved to be in the White House. I told the most powerful man in the world what I went through, what my friends are going through there and asked him to continue doing everything in his power."

Alexander’s mother, Yael, also recalled the meeting with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

"I had the privilege to meet with the President and the First Lady, and to personally thank them for saving my son and bringing heart back to my family. From here, I call on the prime minister of Israel: Now is the time to end the nightmare of the families and of all the people of Israel – and bring the hostages home. All of them – now," Yael said.

The Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza is reportedly reviewing a U.S. ceasefire proposal that has already been accepted by the Israeli government.

The new proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 of the 20 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages.

Israel is prioritizing the release of hostages in critical physical or psychological condition and has demanded that Hamas provide health updates on those not slated for release in the initial phase.