Freed hostage Edan Alexander was held for a period alongside senior Hamas officials, according to conversations with those who spoke to him in recent days. Assessments suggest Hamas did this to use him as a human shield and keep him away from potential targets. Israeli officials believe his placement near senior officials was also intended to prevent accidental harm to him, given his American citizenship. It was also revealed that during the first part of his captivity, Alexander endured severe violence. He was later transferred to an 'upgraded tunnel' designated for the organization's senior members. The transfer occurred after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president.