Hamas Offers Hostage Release to Push for Ceasefire, Israel Unmoved

GAZA STRIP, MONDAY — Hamas is willing to release the last surviving American hostage, Edan Alexander, to encourage a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This offer was directly communicated to the United States Government, sidelining the Israeli Government, which continues its efforts to devastate the Palestinian territory.

In a statement on Sunday (11/5/2025), Hamas announced that Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier who is also a U.S. citizen, will be released as part of efforts towards a ceasefire and reopening the aid delivery crossing.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed the news Sunday night.

Trump welcomed the offer enthusiastically. "This is a goodwill gesture towards the US and the efforts of the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, to end the very brutal war, returning all hostages and remains to their loved ones," said Trump.

Direct talks between senior Hamas officials and official representatives of the United States government have never occurred before. For decades, Washington has openly refused to engage directly with Hamas, which has been labeled as a terrorist group.

Witkoff stated that Alexander's release could occur because Hamas wants to resume ceasefire negotiations that have been stalled for several months. In addition, Hamas also announced that it would release several other hostages in exchange for the opening of humanitarian aid blockades to the Gaza Strip.

Khalil al-Hayyah, one of the Hamas officials in Gaza, stated that the group has been in contact with the US government for some time and wishes to begin intensive negotiations soon.

Hamas aims to promote a long-term ceasefire that includes the end of the war, the exchange of prisoners, and the release of Palestinian hostages in Gaza. This also encompasses the transfer of power in Gaza to an independent technocratic body.

An Egyptian official involved in the discussions stated that Hamas did this because it had received assurances from Trump that the release of Alexander would encourage negotiations to discuss all options, including ending the war.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the United States informed about Hamas's intention to release Alexander. However, the Israeli Prime Minister's office mentioned that this action would not be accompanied by any compensation or conditions, including actions that could lead to ceasefire negotiations.

In fact, in a meeting with the Knesset's Foreign Relations and Security Committee on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israel's goal is to destroy Palestinian homes so that they have no more place to return to. "What will happen is the desire of Gazans to migrate out (of the Gaza Strip)," he said, as reported by Israeli media Maariv.

Netanyahu also stated that if the blockade on humanitarian aid is lifted to allow the residents of Gaza to receive assistance, they are required not to return to their original areas.

A statement from Netanyahu's office on Monday morning (12/5/2025) confirmed Israel's rejection. Netanyahu stated that Israel is not committed to a ceasefire or the release of prisoners with Hamas. Israel will only secure a corridor to allow for the release of Alexander.

Alexander is one of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Last week, Trump stated that only 21 hostages are still alive, fewer than the official count from Israel, which indicates that 24 hostages are still alive.

Among the hostages are four American citizens who have died, including Gadi Haggai and his wife, Judi Weinstein Haggai. The other two are Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, who, like Alexander, are Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military is ignoring discussions regarding the release of hostages being attempted by the United States in collaboration with Egypt and Qatar. They continue the destruction of Gaza. The Israeli military continues to launch attacks, and the number of civilian casualties has now approached 53,000 lives.

Israel's military attack on Sunday (11/5/2025) resulted in the deaths of 15 people in Gaza, mostly women and children. Two strikes hit refugee tents in the southern city of Khan Younis, each killing two children and their parents, according to staff at Nasser Hospital. Seven other individuals were killed in separate attacks, including a man and his son in a neighborhood of Gaza City, according to the hospital and the Gaza Ministry of Health.

France has echoed calls made by the Dutch government for the European Union to review its cooperation agreement with Israel.

"This is a legitimate request. I invite the European Commission to look into it," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

Barrot stated that the relationship between the EU and Israel is based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. The situation in Gaza resulting from Israel's actions is viewed as contrary to these principles.

When asked whether this means France supports opposition to the agreement, Barrot replied: "Let us see what analysis the European Commission will make regarding Israel's compliance with Article 2 of this agreement."

Barrot stressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. "I believe we have to put the reality into words," he said.

He said it was a reality that Palestinians in Gaza were suffering greatly.

"The reality is that Palestinians in Gaza are hungry, they are thirsty, they lack everything," Barrot said.

He hopes that the concerns raised by France can influence the situation on the ground, particularly regarding the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu. "By speaking out, we can undoubtedly hope to influence Israel's position."

The bloc, consisting of 27 countries, is divided in its view of the situation in Gaza. Spain and Ireland called for the European Union to suspend its association agreement with Israel last year due to alleged violations committed in Gaza.

Now, France is also beginning to change its stance. In fact, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that his country is ready to recognize Palestine as a state. (AP/AFP/Reuters)