The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas announced on Sunday its intention to release the Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander on Sunday after having reported direct negotiations with the United States in Doha.
This announcement comes before the visit to the Middle East of the American president Donald Trump, who must go to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16.
After Hamas’ statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said he would continue the war in Gaza, while Edan Alexander’s family said in a statement to wait for his release “in the coming days”.
Only American still retained
Edan Alexander, the only living hostage having American nationality still retained in Gaza, was removed while he was used in an elite unit in southern Israel, during an unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023 by Hamas. This attack sparked the war in Gaza, where Israel, swearing to destroy Hamas, launched a devastating reprisals offensive which made tens of thousands of deaths and caused a humanitarian disaster.
“Edan Alexander will be released as part of the efforts made for a cease-fire, the opening of passing points and the entrance to aid and help to our people in Gaza,” Hamas said in a statement.
He said he was “ready to immediately start intensive negotiations with a view to reaching a final agreement on the end of the war, the exchange (of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners), the management of Gaza by an independent organization (…) in addition to the reconstruction and the end of the siege”.
“Negotiations under fire”
Hamas has confirmed contacts with the US administration after two movement officials spoke of “direct discussions” with the United States.
“The United States has informed Israel of Hamas’ intention to release the Israeli-American hostage as a gesture towards the Americans, without conditions”, and that “negotiations should follow for the release of other hostages (…),” said Benyamin Netanyahu’s office in a statement.
“According to Israeli policy, negotiations will take place under fire with the commitment to achieve all the objectives of the war,” he added. The United States has not immediately reacted to the announcements of Hamas, a movement which they consider to be a terrorist organization.
Catastrophic humanitarian situation
In early March, the United States reported first direct contacts with the Palestinian movement, led by the American special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, after consultation with Israel. After a two -month truce, Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 in Gaza, seizing vast regions.
Her army has prohibited the entry of humanitarian aid since March 2, where she besieged the approximately 2.4 million inhabitants confronted with a catastrophic humanitarian situation with shortages of food, medicines and fuel.
A ceasefire between January 19 and March 17 had led to Gaza 33 Israeli hostages-including 8 dead-in exchange for the liberation of some 1800 Palestinian prisoners. The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are at a standstill. Israel announced on May 5 a plan of “conquest” of Gaza providing for an internal displacement of its population.
