The Hamas terrorist group stated Saturday that it’s going to solely launch Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander if Israel implements the present ceasefire settlement within the Gaza Strip.
Alexander, 21, is the final residing American hostage in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
A senior Hamas official instructed the Related Press that long-delayed talks over the ceasefire’s second section would wish to start the day of the discharge and final now not than 50 days. Israel would additionally have to cease barring the entry of humanitarian assist and withdraw from a strategic hall alongside Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Hamas known as it an “distinctive deal” aimed toward getting the truce again on monitor, per the official, who spoke to The AP on situation of anonymity.
A lady holds a picture of hostage Edan Alexander throughout the International Day of Unity and Prayer with Israel’s Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which represents the kinfolk of these taken captive by Palestinian Hamas militants throughout the October 7 assault. (Picture by YURI CORTEZ/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
AFTER TRUMP THREAT, HAMAS REFUSES TO RELEASE MORE HOSTAGES WITHOUT PHASE 2 CEASEFIRE DEAL
Hamas can be demanding the discharge of extra Palestinian prisoners in change for hostages, the official stated.
Hamas on Friday agreed to launch Alexander together with the our bodies of 4 different hostages following a deal provided by mediators. He has now been held captive for 526 days as of Saturday, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board stated.
It comes as talks are ongoing in Qatar to determine the following section of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the primary section of which ended on March 1.
The workplace of Steve Witkoff, particular envoy to the Middle East, and the Nationwide Safety Council stated in a joint assertion that “President Trump has made it clear that Hamas will both launch hostages instantly, or pay a extreme worth.”
Witkoff and Eric Trager, Nationwide Safety Council senior director for the Center East and North Africa, offered a ‘bridge’ proposal to increase the ceasefire past Ramadan and Passover and permit time to barter a framework for a everlasting ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is predicted to convene his ministerial staff on Saturday to obtain an in depth report from negotiators and determine on the following steps for the discharge of the hostages.
President Donald Trump is seen posing with a photograph of Edan Alexander on Oct. 7, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photos)
In the meantime, various rallies are anticipated to happen all through Israel on Saturday to demand that every one remaining 59 hostages are launched, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board stated. The primary rallies will happen in Tel Aviv, Sha’ar HaNegev Junction, Carmei Gat and Jerusalem.
Although he spent most of his life in New Jersey, Alexander was born in Israel a couple of months earlier than his dad and mom moved to the U.S., in accordance with the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
After graduating from highschool, Alexander determined he would enlist within the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) relatively than enroll in faculty.
On Oct. 7, Alexander, who was serving within the IDF’s Golani Brigade, an infantry unit, was patrolling close to Gaza when Hamas’ assaults on Israel started. The assaults ended with 1,200 Israelis useless and 251 hostages taken, together with Alexander.
Hamas terrorists take up positions forward of a hostage launch in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)
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Yael Alexander, Edan’s mom, recounted the day he was taken hostage in a current interview with AJC’s “Individuals of the Pod.” Yael was in Israel in early October 2023, visiting her household and hoping to see Edan. On the morning of Oct. 7, she spoke with Edan, who stated that he was seeing “horrible stuff,” however he assured her that he was protected. Then he was taken hostage.
On Nov. 30, 2024, greater than a yr after Alexander was captured, Hamas launched a video of Alexander talking in Hebrew and Arabic. Alexander, like different hostages pressured to make propaganda movies, delivered messages about Netanyahu and then-President-elect Donald Trump.
Fox Information’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel, Trey Yingst, Rachel Wolf and Stephen Sorace, in addition to The Related Press, contributed to this report.
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