Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office claimed Hamas releasing the American was a ploy to sabotage negotiations
Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to release American Edan Alexander along with the bodies of four other dual US-Israelis who died in Gaza. The group did not provide more details about the agreement.
In a statement on the group’s Telegram channel, Hamas explained that the armed Palestinian group is willing to release “[E]dan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four other dual nationals.”
Alexander is believed to be the last living Hamas hostage with American citizenship. He was serving in an Israeli military unit near Gaza on October 7 when he was captured during the Hamas assault.
While the details of the agreement are unclear, CNN reported on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff had presented a proposal to the Qataris earlier this week that involved Hamas releasing Alexander. Under that agreement, the Israeli total siege of Gaza would be lifted and the ceasefire extended through Passover, April 20.
Since March 1, Israel has imposed a total blockade of Gaza, preventing food, fuel, medicine, and energy from reaching the Strip. International aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have condemned Tel Aviv’s siege as collective punishment and using deprivation as a negotiating tactic.
After Israel imposed the blockade, the UN warned food could run out within weeks.
On March 1, Israel and Hamas were scheduled to begin phase two of the three-phase ceasefire and hostage deal. However, Tel Aviv refused to complete the required withdrawal from Gaza, and demanded Hamas release the rest of its hostages without Israel agreeing to permanently end military operations in the Strip.
Hamas has called on Israel to abide by the initial agreement that would see the rest of the Israeli hostages released over the coming month in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and permanent ceasefire.
Tel Aviv appears prepared to have begrudgingly accepted Friday’s agreement, but warned the move is a ploy by Hamas. Netanyahu’s office said Israel had “accepted the Witkoff outline and showed flexibility,” but said that “Hamas is refusing and will not budge from its positions.”
“At the same time, it continues to use manipulation and psychological warfare — the reports about Hamas’ willingness to release American hostages are intended to sabotage the negotiations,” the statement added.
The release of the American captives follows direct talks between the US and Hamas last week. Trump’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler met with Hamas officials, drawing the ire of Tel Aviv.
Axios reported that one of Netanyahu’s closest allies, Ron Dermer, spoke with Boehler in what officials described a “difficult” call. While Boehler downplayed the call in an interview with Fox News, behind the scenes he expressed his displeasure with Dermer’s attitude in the call.
Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahronoth said “Boehler was stunned by Dermer’s insolence and spoke about that in conversations with other people.”
Axios additionally reported that Netanyahu was angered over the engagement with the Palestinian group but was avoiding publicly attacking Trump.
