Overview

• Bruce Pearl began his postgame press conference by advocating for the release of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier held hostage in Gaza since October 2023.
• Alexander is one of 59 hostages still held by Hamas, with more than half believed to be deceased, according to multiple reports.
• Hamas has proposed releasing Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel recommits to a stalled ceasefire agreement.
• Pearl, who is Jewish, tied his advocacy to his faith and emphasized the lack of awareness in the U.S. about the hostage crisis.
• Alexander’s father, Adi, expressed cautious optimism about U.S. efforts to secure his son's release, though no resolution has been reached.