Auburn's Bruce Pearl calls for release of Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity

Auburn Tigers men’s hoops manager Bruce Pearl made a passionate plea for the instrumentality of American hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity successful Gaza.

The No. 1-seeded Tigers rolled to an 82-70 triumph implicit No. 9 Creighton connected Saturday and Pearl started his postgame media availability by talking astir Alexander. The 21-year-old Israeli-American solider is 1 of the 59 hostages inactive successful Gaza. More than fractional of the hostages being held by Hamas terrorists are believed to beryllium dead.

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Former President Donald Trump holds a photograph of Edan Alexander connected Oct. 7, 2024, successful New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Hamas said it would merchandise Alexander and the bodies of 4 hostages held determination since its Oct. 7, 2023, panic onslaught if Israel recommitted to a ceasefire agreement.

"I get asked a batch however this hoops programme has go truthful competitory implicit the past 8 years," Pearl said. "But for me, I judge it was God’s program to springiness america this success, occurrence beyond what we deserve. To springiness america this platform. To springiness america an accidental to commencement this league concisely and punctual the satellite that Edan Alexander is inactive held hostage successful Gaza close now. An American held hostage and not capable radical successful this state cognize his name."

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Yael Alexander, the parent of hostage Edan Alexander, speaks during a rally successful Central Park connected the 100th time since the Oct. 7 violent onslaught by Hamas, connected Jan. 14, 2024, successful New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Pearl was asked wherefore helium felt the request to talk retired astir the hostages.

"Oct. 7 was the worst time since the Holocaust for the Jewish people, and they accidental they privation to bash it again and again and again. We person American hostages successful Gaza close now, and it’s unacceptable," Pearl said. "And President Trump called it out, and said if they conscionable escaped the hostages, the sidesplitting would stop. Free the hostages, and the sidesplitting volition stop, and that’s up to Hamas."

Auburn caput manager Bruce Pearl yells toward his players during the 2nd circular of the NCAA tourney against Creighton, Saturday, March 22, 2025, successful Lexington, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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Pearl has voiced his enactment for Israel successful the past and has routinely condemned Hamas for its actions and anti-Israel agitators who seemingly enactment the group.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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