The Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, held in Gaza, will be released by Hamas as part of ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid into the besieged area, a senior Hamas official informed Reuters.
In a statement, Khalil Al-Hayya, the exiled chief of Hamas in Gaza, mentioned that the release efforts are being coordinated by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
“The movement confirms its readiness to engage in immediate intensive negotiations and to make serious efforts toward a final agreement to end the conflict, including an organized prisoner exchange,” Mr. Hayya stated.
According to Hamas, “Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of efforts towards a ceasefire” in Gaza and the reopening of aid crossing points.
Nevertheless, Mr. Netanyahu asserted that Israel would continue its military operations in Gaza despite ongoing negotiations with Hamas.
“Per Israel’s policy, negotiations will occur under fire, with an unwavering commitment to fulfill all war objectives,” a statement from his office indicated.
Recent days have seen direct discussions between Hamas and US representatives in Doha, according to two officials within the Palestinian militant group, with one highlighting that there has been “progress” toward a ceasefire.
One senior Hamas official noted, “There have been direct talks in Doha between Hamas leaders and the United States regarding a ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and the entry of humanitarian aid,” adding that discussions “are still ongoing.”
A second official from the Palestinian group reported “notable progress…particularly concerning the entry of aid to the Gaza Strip” and the potential hostages-for-prisoners exchange, “especially regarding Edan Alexander,” a US-Israeli captive held by militants.
In Khan Younis, Gaza, Palestinians are receiving clean water from a humanitarian aid truck.
The second official also indicated advancements “on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been ongoing since the war began but have yet to achieve a resolution.
Historically, the US has refrained from engaging directly with Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization, until recent discussions commenced in March.
Hamas has consistently sought an arrangement to conclude the war, previously rejecting an Israeli proposal for a 45-day truce and prisoner exchange on 18 April.
The group expressed its willingness to “immediately start intensive negotiations” aimed at reaching an agreement to end the conflict and establish Gaza under a technocratic and independent administration.
“This will ensure long-term peace and stability, alongside reconstruction and the cessation of the blockade.”
Neither the United States nor Israel provided an immediate response.
Recently, US President Donald Trump reiterated a commitment to assist in delivering food to Palestinians in Gaza.
A US-supported mechanism for facilitating aid into Gaza is anticipated to take effect shortly, as mentioned by Washington’s envoy to Israel on Friday.
The US has previously engaged in discussions with the Palestinian militant group regarding the release of American hostages held in Gaza.
Since 2 March, Israel has entirely halted all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, with food reserves accumulated during an earlier ceasefire nearly depleted.
Reports indicate that 12 individuals have been killed in Israeli air strikes.
According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, Israeli air strikes have resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including young children, mainly in the southern region of the besieged territory.
Smoke rises following a significant Israeli attack on Khan Younis, Gaza.
Mahmud Bassal, a civil defense spokesman, reported that Israeli fighter jets targeted three tents overnight where many displaced individuals were seeking refuge in Khan Younis.
He noted that “eight people, including four children aged two to five and two women” lost their lives in the incident.
Another strike in Khan Younis later resulted in three additional fatalities, Mr. Bassal stated.
Additionally, one person was killed and three others injured when a group of civilians was attacked in Gaza City, in the northern part of the territory.
Mr. Bassal further revealed that the Israeli military demolished five houses with explosives in the eastern section of Gaza City and launched artillery strikes in the Abassa area east of Khan Younis, without reporting any casualties.
The Israeli military did not comment on specific incidents but confirmed that its air force had targeted “more than 50 terror sites across the Gaza Strip” since Saturday.
On 18 March, Israel effectively concluded the January ceasefire agreement, resuming its offensive in Gaza following a Hamas attack on 7 October 2023.
The Hamas assault resulted in 1,218 deaths, primarily civilians, based on an AFP tally sourced from official figures.
According to the health ministry in Hamas-administered Gaza, at least 2,720 individuals have been killed since Israel renewed its military campaign, bringing the cumulative death toll since the onset of the conflict to 52,829.
