The Hamas terrorist organization announced on Saturday that it will only release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander if Israel adheres to the existing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Edan Alexander, 21, is currently the last American hostage held in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
A senior official from Hamas stated to the Associated Press that the long-stalled discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire must commence on the day of the hostage’s release and should not extend beyond 50 days. Additionally, Israel must cease its obstruction of humanitarian aid and withdraw from a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
According to the official, Hamas described the proposal as an “exceptional deal” designed to realign the truce, speaking to The AP on the condition of anonymity.
AFTER TRUMP THREAT, HAMAS REFUSES TO RELEASE MORE HOSTAGES WITHOUT PHASE 2 CEASEFIRE DEAL
Hamas is also demanding the release of additional Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages, as indicated by the official.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release Alexander along with the remains of four other hostages following a deal proposed by mediators. As of Saturday, he has been held captive for 526 days, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Negotiations are currently ongoing in Qatar to establish the subsequent phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, with the initial phase concluding on March 1.
The office of Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East, along with the National Security Council, issued a joint statement asserting that “President Trump has made it clear that Hamas will either release hostages immediately or face severe consequences.”
Witkoff and Eric Trager, senior director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Security Council, have proposed a bridge plan to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, allowing time to negotiate a framework for a lasting ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to assemble his ministerial team on Saturday to receive a comprehensive report from negotiators and determine the next steps regarding the release of hostages.
Meanwhile, numerous rallies are planned across Israel on Saturday, advocating for the release of all remaining 59 hostages, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Major rallies are expected in Tel Aviv, Sha’ar HaNegev Junction, Carmei Gat, and Jerusalem.
Although Edan spent most of his life in New Jersey, he was born in Israel shortly before his family relocated to the U.S., as reported by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
After completing high school, Alexander chose to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instead of pursuing a college education.
On October 7, while serving in the IDF’s Golani Brigade, an infantry unit, Alexander was patrolling near Gaza when Hamas launched its attacks on Israel. These assaults resulted in 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages, including Alexander.
Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, recounted the day he was taken hostage in a recent interview with AJC’s “People of the Pod.” She was in Israel in early October 2023, visiting family and hoping to reunite with Edan. On the morning of October 7, she spoke with him, and he described witnessing “terrible things,” but assured her he was safe. Shortly after, he was taken hostage.
On November 30, 2024, over a year after Alexander’s capture, Hamas released a video of him speaking in Hebrew and Arabic. Like other hostages coerced into producing propaganda videos, Alexander conveyed messages about Netanyahu and the then-President-elect Donald Trump.
