Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Hamas’s announcement of the release of the Israeli-American detainee Idan Alexander would not be met with a ceasefire in Gaza or the release of Palestinian prisoners.
اضافة اعلان
In a statement from his office, Netanyahu said that negotiations aimed at reaching a possible agreement to secure the release of all hostages in Gaza would continue "under fire, alongside preparations to escalate the fighting."
Meanwhile, a Hamas official stated that the group would release Alexander, who is being held in the Gaza Strip, as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
No specific date for the release was given, but Alexander’s family, whose son is 21, said they had been informed that his release would occur "in the coming days."
Netanyahu emphasized that "Israel is not committed to any ceasefire or prisoner release," saying its only commitment was to securing a safe passage that would allow Alexander’s release.
He added that the pledge to release Alexander came only after "military pressure" in Gaza.
“We are living in decisive days during which a deal has been presented to Hamas that would allow the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu said.
These developments come shortly after two senior Hamas officials said that members of the group held direct talks with U.S. officials in Doha and that "some progress" had been made regarding the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ceasefire negotiations.
— (Agencies)
