Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is framing the expected release of American hostage Edan Alexander as a vindication of Israel's military pressure strategy. In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office emphasized that the release "will be made possible due to the firm policy we led with President Donald Trump's backing," while insisting Israel made no concessions regarding ceasefires or prisoner releases. The statement underscores Netanyahu's position that negotiations for further hostage releases will continue "under fire and while preparing to intensify the fighting."
According to Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, senior Hamas sources indicate the terror organization will release Alexander at 12:00 .p.m Monday. United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel and attempt to expand the release phase to include additional hostages. An Israeli source confirmed this information and said, "If Hamas agrees to the outline, expansion of the war will be delayed to execute the deal and release our hostages."
An Israeli source stated Monday morning, "The release of Edan Alexander was achieved thanks to the policy of applying military pressure on Hamas, and the implementation of that pressure on the ground by the IDF. Additionally, Hamas understood it needed to make a gesture to Americans because that's its only way to try preventing the expansion of the war."
"Thanks to military pressure, Hamas has agreed to release most of our hostages so far, regardless of which foreign passport they might hold. We will continue doing everything to release all our hostages. Hamas receives nothing in return for Edan's release, and there is no ceasefire. To ensure Edan's release, a safe corridor will be established to extract him from Gaza, and negotiations for the original Witkoff outline – which Israel agreed to – will continue under fire. If Hamas agrees to the outline, the expansion of the war will be delayed to execute the deal and release our hostages."
According to Washington sources, the release timing depends on developments in negotiations but will occur before President Trump's arrival in the region. The potential developments, though less likely, include expanding the release into a broader deal and freeing more hostages with a ceasefire.
Trump confirmed the upcoming release in a statement on social media, writing, "I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen." The president characterized the development as "a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators – Qatar and Egypt – to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones." Trump added that he hopes this is "the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict" and that he looks "very much forward to that day of celebration."
End of the war
A senior Hamas official told the AP news agency that Hamas was advised "to give President Trump a gift and he in return will give them a better gift." An Egyptian official noted that Hamas received guarantees through Egyptian and Qatari mediators that Alexander's release "will put all issues on the table," including ending the war. Another senior Hamas official said Alexander's release is expected within the next 48 hours and will require Israel to stop fighting for several hours.
Israel is not expected to release terrorists in exchange for Alexander. Witkoff is expected to hold a private meeting with Netanyahu, against the backdrop of reports of peak tension between the Israeli prime minister and the American president. An American source said if a deal for a long-term ceasefire and negotiations to end the war is reached, Trump will consider stopping in Israel before Saudi Arabia. The intention is for a joint photo opportunity with the released hostage and with Netanyahu.
"Thanks to military pressure, with Trump's backing"
The Prime Minister's Office stated, "The expected release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander without return will be made possible due to the firm policy we led with President Trump's backing, and thanks to the military pressure of IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip. Israel did not commit to any ceasefire or release of fighters, only to a safe corridor that will allow Edan's release. We are in critical days when Hamas is presented with a deal that will allow the release of our hostages. Negotiations will continue under fire and while preparing to intensify the fighting."
