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Before the team spoke in the postgame news conference for Auburn's second-round win of the NCAA Tournament, Bruce Pearl called out the name of an American hostage in Gaza."I believe it was God's plan, to give us this success, success beyond what we deserve. To give us this platform, to give me an opportunity to start this press conference really briefly and remind the world that Edan Alexander is still held hostage in Gaza right now. An American held hostage. And there aren't enough people in this country that know his name. So I asked the players if it was OK if I started out this press conference and just called on the name of an American. Bring the hostages home." Who is Edan Alexander?Edan Alexander, 21, who grew up in New Jersey, was abducted from his military base during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. He is the last living U.S. citizen held in Gaza. Hamas still has 59 hostages, 35 believed to be dead.Hamas said on March 15 that it would only release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement, calling it an “exceptional deal” aimed at getting the truce back on track.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes days later on March 18, which killed mostly women and children, after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. In a statement aired on national television, he said the attack was “only the beginning” and that Israel would press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims — destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militant group.The main group representing families of the hostages accused the government of backing out of the ceasefire.“We are shocked, angry and terrified by the deliberate dismantling of the process to return our loved ones from the terrible captivity of Hamas,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.All further ceasefire negotiations will take place “under fire,” he said. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.Pearl talked about his family historyLater in the news conference, Pearl was asked what made him vocal about the war.Pearl identified himself as a Jewish-American in the news conference. He actively posts about the Israel-Hamas War on his X account."I think what what made me say it is again, it starts with my faith. And it starts with answering the question, 'Why is God blessing Auburn and this basketball team the way he has all season long?' And honestly, I think it has put us in a platform...in this case right now with myself as a Jewish American who loves his country more than anything else in the world."My grandfather came over here at 11 years old in 1929. He became a citizen when he was 32 years old and said it was the greatest day of his life. This Jewish-American (referring to himself) loves his country more than anything else."At the same time, over in Israel, that's our ancestral homeland for the Jewish people. And it's under attack. It's under attack, it's under siege. And all it wants to do is live in peace with his neighbors."And, you know what? There are some Arab countries that are actually wanting peace with Israel right now, but there's a segment of the population that is there in the Middle East that has been doing nothing but attacking Israel for 80-85 years. October 7 (2023) was the worst day since the Holocaust for the Jewish people. And they say they want to do it again and again and again."We have Americans that are held hostage in Gaza right now. It's unacceptable. And President Trump has called it out. And he said if they would just free the hostages, the killing would stop. Free the hostages, and the killing will stop. And that's up to Hamas."