Last Saturday, Hamas published a propaganda video to show proof of life for hostage soldier Edan Alexander as part of an ongoing strategy to inflict psychological terror, just as Jews were gathering in Israel and around the world to celebrate the holiday of Passover - and its theme of freedom.

Alexander is a 21 year old U.S. citizen who had been serving in the IDF. He was stationed near the Gaza Strip alone on the terrible morning of October 7, 2023. He was among 250 other hostages taken to Gaza when Hamas murdered over 1,200 Jews, mostly civilians.

Alexander says in the video (the second video Hamas has released of him), under obvious duress, that he’s been held hostage for 551 days; and Hamas’ captions read "Soon" and "Time is running out." Israel has deemed such video-releasing tactics psychological warfare.

With that in mind, the family has requested the video not be released in its entirety.

Alexander is reportedly being held captive in a tunnel in the absence of air or sunlight, and he’s severely malnourished and is being starved (we know this from released hostages).

Alexander’s family says, “Our Edan, a lone soldier who immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the Golani Brigade to defend the country and its citizens, is still being held captive by Hamas.

“So when you sit down to mark Passover, remember that this is not a holiday of freedom as long as Edan and the other 58 hostages are not home.”

There are thought to be 24 living hostages in Gaza, including Alexander, as well as 35 that Israel has confirmed to be dead.

Though American representatives have held talks with Hamas in Qatar to secure Alexander’s release, the deadline was missed, and the release of the video by Hamas is a very clear tactic (a psychological bomb).

Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv, was raised in New Jersey and came back to Israel to serve in the IDF upon his 2022 high school graduation.

Also at the beginning of Passover came the news that Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home had been attacked - shortly after the governor had posted a picture of his seder plate on X with the words, “From the Shapiro family’s Seder table to yours, happy Passover and Chag Pesach Sameach!”

Shapiro’s family had to be evacuated from their official Harrisburg home at 2 am, but no one was injured.

Cody Balmer, 38, was subsequently taken into custody after turning himself in.

Balmer had walked an hour from his own home with gasoline-filled beer bottles and a hammer to set fire to Governor Shapiro’s home. He had intended to beat Shapiro with the hammer if confronted.

Charges pending are attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson and aggravated assault against an enumerated person. He had incendiary devices on his person. Though no motive was given, authorities believe the attack may have been targeted. They say he was “methodical in his approach.” Thus, like Hamas’ attack and subsequent terrorizing, antisemitism is at the core.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens informed the media that officials are conducting an arson investigation, attempted homicide, and aggravated arson investigations. However, Bivens said he does not expect Balmer to be charged with conspiracy.

Balmer was alleged to have been in the Shapiro home for less than a minute, and the entire event occurred in a few minute timeframe. Because of how quickly he was in and out of the house, officials believe Balmer had a well thought-out plan.

Moreover, Balmer “actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence, even while they were searching for him on the property," Bivens said.

Balmer was captured in Harrisburg on the afternoon of the 13th, and this isn’t the first time. Balmer has faced previous criminal charges, having once pled guilty to forgery and theft, as well as been charged with assault.

In the aftermath of the assault, Governor Shapiro says that his family is, “eternally grateful” for the authorities who helped them evacuate. He and his wife have four children - Sophia and Jonah are legal adults, while Max and Rueben are minors.

He wrote, “Every day, we stand with the law enforcement and first responders who run towards danger to protect our communities.”

Governor Shapiro also deemed violence as, "becoming far too common in our society.

"I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another, it is not OK and it has to stop," Shapiro said.

He added, “if he [the perpetrator] was trying to terrorize our family, our friends, the Jewish community who joined us for a Passover Seder in that room last night, hear me … no one will deter me or my family or any Pennsylvanian from celebrating their faith openly and proudly.”

A neighbor of Shapiro’s said, “It chokes me up, because I, you know, have many family and friends who are Jewish, and the fact that this happened on a high religious holiday, specifically with our Jewish governor, is really scary.”