Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that there will be “no ceasefire” in return for Hamas releasing a US-Israeli hostage, even as a source linked to the group said the soldier might be freed on Monday.
On Sunday, Hamas announced plans to release Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli soldier being held in Gaza, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the region. The group also confirmed it was holding direct discussions with Washington regarding a potential ceasefire.
Although a specific timeline wasn’t confirmed, a source close to Hamas told AFP that Alexander would “most likely” be freed on Monday or Tuesday.
“Most likely, Edan will be released today or tomorrow, Tuesday, but this requires securing field conditions,” the source stated.
Hamas requested that American envoys ensure a “halt to all Israeli military operations… to create a safe corridor” for Alexander’s transfer to the Red Cross.
According to the source, Hamas opted against holding a public handover ceremony.
Netanyahu, however, responded that “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan”.
He emphasized that discussions over a possible deal to free all hostages would persist “under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting”.
Hamas had earlier said that Alexander would be released “as part of efforts towards a ceasefire” and reopening aid crossings.
– Post-war administration –
Trump, expected in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, described the announcement as “monumental news” in a social media post, calling it a “good faith gesture”.
“Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict,” he added.
Egypt and Qatar, who along with the US have been mediating between Israel and Hamas, praised the move as “a gesture of goodwill and an encouraging step toward a return to the negotiating table”.
Earlier in Doha, two Hamas officials confirmed to AFP that negotiations with the US were ongoing and had shown “progress”.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes persisted, with Gaza’s civil defence reporting that a school sheltering displaced civilians was hit overnight, killing at least 10 people.
Out of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, 58 are still in captivity, including 34 the Israeli military says have died.
Israel ended a two-month ceasefire on March 18, launching an expanded offensive in Gaza and halting all humanitarian aid as a pressure tactic to prompt hostage releases.
Washington, which had long refused to deal directly with Hamas—labeled a terrorist group—initiated contact in March.
– Aid plan –
Hamas remains firm in its demand for a complete end to the war. On April 18, it rejected Israel’s proposal for a 45-day truce paired with a hostage-prisoner exchange.
In its latest statement, Hamas said it was open to “immediately begin intensive negotiations” that could establish a path to end the war and install a technocratic and independent administration in Gaza.
Earlier this month, Israel approved plans to escalate its offensive in Gaza, with indications that it intends to maintain a long-term presence in the area.
Despite the lack of significant progress in ceasefire talks, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar voiced strong support for a US-led initiative to resume aid to Gaza, which has been under total blockade since March 2.
This new aid plan has faced widespread criticism for excluding the United Nations and established humanitarian agencies. UNRWA, the UN body for Palestinian refugees, stated it was “impossible” to replace its operations in Gaza.
Hamas’s 2023 attack in southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, primarily civilians, based on an AFP compilation of official data.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 2,720 people have died since Israel renewed its campaign, raising the overall death toll to 52,829 since the war began.
