A hostage returns as Israel plans to escalate the war
Post Reports
The Washington Post
4.4 • 5.1K Ratings
🗓️ 12 May 2025
⏱️ 18 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Following direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas officials, Edan Alexander was freed Monday after more than 19 months in captivity in Gaza. He is the last living U.S. hostage in Gaza.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has already exacted a devastating toll. More than 52,000 people in Gaza have died, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Fifty-eight people who were seized by Hamas remain in Gaza, 23 of whom are believed to be alive. Gazans are facing a critical famine risk as Israel blocks aid. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government says it plans to expand the war if Hamas does not meet Israel's demands.
Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with Middle East reporter Miriam Berger about Israel’s plans to escalate the war in Gaza.
Today’s show was produced by Peter Bresnan with help from Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sean Carter and edited by Ariel Plotnick with help from Reena Flores. Thanks to Alan Sipress, Erin Cunningham and Heidi Levine.
Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Idon Alexander is coming home. |
| 0:05.0 | This is a crowd in Tel-Ina, E-A-E-A-I-S, E-S, E-S, DECS, DECD |
| 0:10.6 | This is a crowd in Tel Aviv today chanting his name. |
| 0:18.5 | They were celebrating after Alexander, the last remaining U.S. hostage in Gaza, |
| 0:23.4 | was released by Hamas and was on his way back to his family. |
| 0:27.8 | Alexander was taken on October 7, 2023. The U.S. negotiated with Hamas for his release, |
| 0:35.1 | bypassing Israeli officials. |
| 0:41.4 | Alexander's grandmother, Varda Ben-Beruch, spoke with the post about what it means to have her grandson back after his 19 months in captivity. |
| 0:46.5 | She referred to her granddad. she, Edan, the mochette to bring Idan new to |
| 0:54.9 | world. |
| 0:56.7 | She referred to |
| 0:58.0 | her grandson's |
| 0:58.9 | name, |
| 0:59.5 | Idan, which |
| 1:00.6 | means era |
| 1:01.3 | in Hebrew. |
| 1:02.6 | And she said, |
| 1:03.7 | I think my |
| 1:04.2 | grandson, |
| 1:05.0 | I will bring a |
| 1:06.1 | new era to the |
| 1:07.0 | world and that |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 14 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Washington Post, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Washington Post and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.