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Hamas Claims Lost Contact with Fighters Holding Israeli-American Hostage in Gaza
Gaza Strip – Hamas, the Palestinian faction governing Gaza, announced it has “lost contact” with militants reportedly holding Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier, captive. This development follows a reported Israeli strike on their presumed location within Gaza. Alexander, 21, has been featured in recent videos released by the group. His release was proposed by Israel as a priority in a rejected 45-day ceasefire offer presented last week.
Hamas Spokesperson Statement
Abu Obeida, a Hamas representative, stated, “We declare that communication has been severed with the group responsible for guarding soldier Edan Alexander, subsequent to a direct bombardment of their position.”
“Efforts to re-establish contact are ongoing,” he further added.
Hostage Situation in Gaza
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage during the Hamas-led assault in 2023, it is believed that 59 remain within the enclave. Among these, 24 are assessed to still be living.
Among the hostages, five are believed to be U.S. citizens, with Alexander thought to be the only one still alive.
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In a video disseminated later on Tuesday and addressed to the families of the remaining captives, Hamas cautioned that the hostages would “return in coffins” if Israel’s military operations in Gaza persisted.
Prior to this, on Saturday, Hamas released a video depicting Alexander alive, appealing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate his freedom.
Ceasefire Proposal and Rejection
Alexander’s release was a component of an Israeli proposal for a 45-day cessation of hostilities, which reportedly included “the liberation of half of the hostages within the initial week of the agreement,” according to a Hamas official. This official indicated that the proposal specifically requested Alexander’s release on the first day as a “goodwill gesture.”
An earlier two-month truce witnessed Hamas freeing 33 hostages in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian detainees, along with the delivery of aid and supplies into Gaza.
Following the collapse of negotiations for a subsequent phase, Israel recommenced its offensive on March 18.
Background of Edan Alexander
Born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, Alexander was serving in an elite infantry unit stationed on the Gaza border when he was captured by Hamas fighters during the October 7, 2023 incursion.
Adi Alexander, his father, publicly questioned Prime Minister Netanyahu’s strategies in a recent interview, inquiring about the plan to secure the hostages’ release “without ending this war and without committing to the second phase of this deal?”
Hamas’s Stance on Hostage Release and Ceasefire Terms
Hamas has conveyed its readiness to release all remaining hostages in return for a complete end to armed conflict and a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, on Tuesday, the group reportedly turned down Israel’s latest proposal for a renewed ceasefire.
According to a senior Palestinian official, “The Israeli proposal, conveyed to the movement via Egypt, unequivocally demanded the disarmament of Hamas without any Israeli pledge to terminate the war or retreat from Gaza. Consequently, Hamas rejected the offer in its entirety.”
Casualties in Gaza Conflict
Since the resumption of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, at least 1,630 individuals have been killed. This brings the overall death toll in the 18 months of conflict to 51,000, as per recent data from the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
The ongoing conflict was initiated by the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage.