The American-Israeli families of hostages held by Hamas see President Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia in mid-May as an opportunity to break through nearly two months of stalemate between Hamas and Israel and eventually bring their loved ones home after nearly 600 days in captivity.

And they say it's time for Trump to pressure Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to strike a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. Trump is chasing a major diplomatic breakthrough in brokering ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but Riyadh is holding back over Israel’s insistence on continuing the war.

“I believe the president is a very tough person, and he should be tough with the enemies, and with the friends as well – and the friends, I’m talking about Israel,” said Adi Alexander, whose 21-year-old son Edan is one of five Americans held hostage by Hamas.

Two weeks ago, the Alexanders received rare proof that Edan is alive, appearing in a Hamas propaganda

video, pleading for his life and release.

Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, said her son looked like a “shadow of himself.” She had not seen him since Oct. 2, 2023, less than a week before Hamas’s terrorist attack on the country where approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages, although only about 24 are believed to be alive. Four of the Americans are confirmed dead.

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