Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected any ceasefire deal in exchange for the expected release of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old US-Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7 attacks.
Hamas announced on Sunday that it would release Alexander ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region, describing the move as a “goodwill gesture” amid direct talks with Washington on a possible ceasefire. A source close to Hamas told AFP the release could occur Monday or Tuesday, pending “field conditions” to ensure a safe handover to the Red Cross.
However, Netanyahu insisted Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners, saying only that it had allowed for a “safe corridor” for Alexander’s transfer. He reiterated that Israel’s military operations would continue unabated: “Negotiations for a broader deal will proceed under fire and as preparations for intensified fighting continue.”
Hamas had previously demanded that U.S. envoys ensure a halt to Israeli military operations to create a secure passage for Alexander’s release. The group also said it would forgo any ceremonial handover to avoid risks on the ground.
Former President Trump, in a social media post, called the anticipated release “monumental news” and expressed hope it would lead to the “final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict.” His remarks came as Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. — key mediators in the conflict — welcomed the development as a positive step toward renewed negotiations.
Despite the diplomatic signals, the war rages on. Overnight Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least 10 people at a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza. Since Israel resumed its campaign on March 18, over 2,700 people have died in Gaza, raising the total death toll since the conflict began to 52,829, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Of the 251 hostages abducted during Hamas’s October 7 assault, 58 remain in Gaza — 34 of whom are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli military.
Hamas has rejected previous Israeli truce proposals and is pushing for a permanent ceasefire and a technocratic, independent administration in Gaza. Israel, meanwhile, has approved plans for a long-term military presence in the enclave.
While ceasefire talks remain deadlocked, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar on Sunday endorsed a new U.S. aid plan for Gaza. The initiative bypasses UN agencies — a move sharply criticised by the UNRWA, which called it “impossible” to replace its operations in the territory.
