Israel News for 5-13-2025
News Update
Edan Alexander was released by Hamas and reunited with his family yesterday, after 584 days in captivity. From the helicopter en route to Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center, Alexander wrote a brief message: “Thank you, President Trump. (in Hebrew) Am Yisrael Chai—Go Golani 51!” He revealed that, for a prolonged period, he was locked in a cage, shackled by his hands and feet, and was subject to severe torture during long interrogations. His Hamas captors referred to him as “the American”. He was held alongside other hostages in tunnels for some time, and suffered from severe food depravation. only in recent months, apparently in preparation for his release, did his Hamas captors begin providing him with more food.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler met with the families of hostages today, underscoring their commitment to securing the release of all captives still held by Hamas. The envoys head to Doha, Qatar to continue negotiations to release the remaining hostages. Witkoff told the group, “We are committed to bringing every hostage home—until the last one.” He added, “Edan’s return is a light of hope. We will not stop until everyone is home.”
Overnight, the IDF struck a Hamas command and control center inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, being used to plan and carry out attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. Hassan Eslayeh, a Gaza-based terrorist who posed as a journalist, was reportedly killed in the strike. Ahmad al-Qudra, head of the Gaza police’s narcotics division, was reportedly also killed.
Military police have begun arrested Haredi draft dodgers throughout the country. The IDF said in a statement, “A potential recruit who did not report for induction in accordance with the instructions of the summons he received is liable to face disciplinary or criminal sanctions.” The Haredi parties, which are part of the government coalition condemned the arrests and threatened to bring down the government.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar landed in Tokyo, in the first visit to Japan by an Israeli Foreign Minister in 15 years. He is set to meet with his Japanese counterpart.
