Hamas has released Edan Alexander, a double Israeli national and soldier of the United States and Israel. It is about to revive ceasefire negotiations and end the blockade of Israeli punishment in the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip.
The International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) confirmed that it promoted the transfer of soldiers on Monday evening. Images have been released showing Hamas members, Red Cross officials and Alexander.
Hamas said he released Alexander as a goodwill gesture against President Donald Trump, who is visiting the Arab Gulf countries this week.
The battle was temporarily suspended to allow handovers after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would allow safe passage for release.
“American hostage Edan Alexander thought it would be released by Hamas. Great news!” Trump wrote on his true social platform.
“The Israeli government warmly welcomes Sergeant Edan Alexander, a soldier who has been returned from Hamas prisoners,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.
“The Israeli government is committed to returning all hostages and missing persons, both raw and fallen,” the statement added. The prisoners’ families accused Netanyahu of putting his own political survival above that of the prisoners still held in Gaza.
In a statement, ICRC President Mirjana Sporsjarik welcomed Alexander’s release, calling for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
“We are relieved that another family member has reunited today, but this nightmare continues for the rest of the hostages, their families and hundreds of thousands of civilians across Gaza,” Spoljaric said.
Alexander’s mother arrived in Israel on Monday and reportedly flew to Leoim military base, which was expected to reunite late in the evening, reported from Amman, Jordan, as Al Jazeera was banned from Israel.
Despite the release, Israel has not committed to a wider ceasefire. “There’s nothing in exchange. There’s no release of Palestinian prisoners, and there’s no pause in combat,” Sulf said. “If there’s any kind of negotiation, they’ll happen under fire,” Sulf added, referring to the general line of the Israeli government.
Akiba Elder, an Israeli political analyst, said Alexander’s release spurred joy as much as Israeli frustration. “What we’re seeing is what President Trump can do, Netanyahu can’t, or can’t,” he told Al Jazeera in Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Prime Minister said he is facing extensive calls to end the Gaza War to ensure the release of prisoners, but plans to expand Israeli attacks.
“Today is a key point,” explained Elder. “Because the Israeli public knows the fact that if you want a deal, if you want your sons back home, you can do it. But in order to do that, you have to be a leader like President Trump and not like Netanyahu.”
For the devastating Palestinians, the release is barely changing
Reported by Dale El Bala in central Gaza, Koudalie behind Al Jazeera, said there appears to be no change in the daily suffering of the Palestinians.
“IPC [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification] A report published today said 93% of Gaza’s population is living through acute food insecurity. This is due to the lockdown imposed on the Gaza Strip,” Khoudary said.
“The Palestinians said, ‘What’s next? What will this release bring? Are there any positive negotiations? Can we get a glimpse of hope for a ceasefire?” she added.
And the bombing continues, Gaza’s health ministry said Israeli strikes against school-turned-shelters killed at least 15 people on Monday.
Gaza on the brink of hunger
Humanitarian organisations warn Gaza is on the verge of massive hunger. The IPC reported that half a million Palestinians are facing imminent hunger.
According to the IPC, 70 days after Israel enters essential supplies, “items essential to people’s survival are expected to run out or be used up in the coming weeks.”
Cindy McCain, head of the United Nations World Food Program, urged immediate international action. “Families in Gaza are starving while the food they need is sitting at the border,” she said. “If you wait until hunger is confirmed, it’s already too late for many.”
UNICEF Executive Director Katherine Russell also issued a harsh warning. “The risk of hunger does not arrive suddenly,” she said. “It unfolds where access to food is blocked, where healthcare systems are broken and where children are left uncomplicated for survival.”
Hunger has become “the daily reality of children throughout the Gaza Strip,” she added.
Gaza assaults are expected to continue
Netanyahu and his hard-line government continue to commit to the escalation of military operations in Gaza.
Itamar Ben Gwil, the far-right national security minister, who is a major coalition partner, reiterates his position that war must continue, and humanitarian aid must prevent entry into the territory.
“Israel is not committed to any kind of ceasefire,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, claiming military pressure forced Hamas to release Alexander. Critics have rebutted that the release came purely to direct contact with Hamas.
Netanyahu met US figures on Monday, including Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador Mike Huckabee. His office described the meeting as a “final ditch effort” to push for a prisoner-release deal before the battle expands.
Huckabee said Trump and his administration “want to have this long extended release” of Alexander. “It marks the beginning of the end of this terrible war.”
Israel plans to send a delegation to Doha for consultation on Tuesday, but made it clear that the military operation will continue. “The Prime Minister has made it clear that negotiations will only take place under fire,” his office said.
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