It’s a holiday weekend here in the United States, but the twisted terrorists of Hamas don’t care about such things. While we celebrate life, they celebrate death and misery.

On Saturday, the sick group released a proof-of-life video of American hostage Idan Alexander, who they’ve held in captivity for over 400 days after they captured him during the massacre of Oct. 7, 2023.

Alexander pushed for President-elect Donald Trump to negotiate his release—something Trump has indicated is his priority even before he re-enters the Oval Office—but presumably, Alexander was told what to say by his captors:

Why it matters: This is the first time a video of Alexander has emerged since he was taken hostage on October 7.

• Alexander says in the video he has been held captive for more than 420 days, which raises the possibility the video was taken in the last 24 hours.
• 101 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, among them seven Americans.
• An Israeli official said he sees the release of the video as a positive sign by Hamas.

#BREAKING The psychopath terrorists in Gaza have released a proof of life video of hostage Idan Alexander.

In the video, they force him to speak about the threats to his life and send a message to President-elect Trump. pic.twitter.com/2sKipsGLUK

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 30, 2024

We reported on the tragic murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Alexander says he prays his fate will be different:

What they are saying: Alexander calls on Trump in the video to use his influence and the "full power of the U.S."

• Alexander also says he doesn't want to end up like the American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was murdered by his Hamas captives.
• The White House and the Trump transition team didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Heartbreaking:

Al qassam Brigades publishes a video showing the prisoner "Idan Alexander" an Israeli-American citizen talking....

In the video, Idan asks Donald Trump to release him. pic.twitter.com/aWWmwdVYiA

— Brian’s Breaking News and Intel (@intelFromBrian) November 30, 2024

Negotiations have been stalled for months as Hamas continues to play games and toy with Israeli and U.S. diplomats. The tenor is likely to change, however, on January 20 when Trump takes over, and he has vowed to take a tougher stand.

Driving the news: Negotiations over the hostage and ceasefire deal have been stuck for more than three months.

• President Biden and Trump discussed the issue during their two-hour Oval Office meeting two weeks ago.
• The issue also came up during a meeting between White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Trump's incoming national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), and in a conversation between Biden's top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Related: Trump Wants American Hostages in Gaza Home Before Inauguration Day

Hamas Ready to Follow Suit After Lebanon Ceasefire Deal? Now Claim They Want to Talk Gaza Truce

Trembling Over Trump? Qatar Wants Out - Withdraws As Gaza Mediator

Harsh reality is about to come for Hamas as bumbling Joe Biden rides off into the sunset and is replaced by Trump, who will likely be a far better friend to Israel than Joe was. In the meantime, we pray for Idan Alexander and the others.

Idan Alexander from New Jersey is one of the 5 Americans still being held hostage in Gaza.

He was 19 when he was kidnapped and has turned 20 in captivity.

Have you ever heard your politician mention him or the other Americans still in Gaza?pic.twitter.com/s9Xovi2KbD

— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) January 21, 2024

UPDATE. At 4:09 PM ET, the White House released a statement: 

Statement by NSC Spokesperson Sean Savett on Edan Alexander

The hostage video released today of American-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander is a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror against citizens of multiple countries, including our own. We have been in touch with Edan’s family. The war in Gaza would stop tomorrow and the suffering of Gazans would end immediately — and would have ended months ago — if Hamas agreed to release the hostages. It has refused to do so, but as the President said last week, we have a critical opportunity to conclude the deal to release the hostages, stop the war, and surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza. This deal is on the table now. President Biden and the United States will continue to work around the clock to secure the release of our citizens including through diplomatic efforts and by increasing pressure on Hamas terrorists through sanctions, law enforcement actions, and other measures. On behalf of the Alexanders and all the families of the hostages still being held by Hamas, we will never cease in our efforts to secure their immediate release.