The situation concerning the fate of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier captured by Hamas, has escalated as Hamas reports losing contact with his captors after an Israeli strike. The ongoing conflict has deepened tensions, with both sides remaining firm on their stances regarding ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas Reports Loss of Contact with Hostage Amid Renewed Conflict
Hamas Reports Loss of Contact with Hostage Amid Renewed Conflict
The militant group claims to have lost communication with the group holding Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander following an Israeli airstrike.
Hamas has announced it has "lost contact" with the group of fighters holding Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander captive in Gaza, coinciding with a recent Israeli airstrike on their location. Edan, a 21-year-old soldier, was featured in videos shared by Hamas in the days leading up to the incident. His release was sought by Israel on the first day of a proposed 45-day ceasefire that was ultimately rejected by Hamas.
The specific timing of when contact was lost was not clarified by Hamas, nor did they provide evidence to substantiate their claim. Israel has consistently stated that it aims to avoid targeting areas where hostages might be present. Hamas' spokesman Abu Obeida stated, "We announce that we have lost contact with the group holding soldier Edan Alexander following a direct strike on their location," adding that efforts to reconnect with them are ongoing.
Of the 251 hostages taken during the 2023 Hamas attack, 59 are still believed to be in Gaza, with 24 possibly alive, including five U.S. citizens. It is thought that Alexander might be the sole surviving American among them. Later developments saw Hamas releasing a video in which Alexander implores both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump to intervene for his release.
The Israeli proposal for a 45-day ceasefire implied the rapid release of hostages, with Alexander's release proposed as an initial gesture. Previous negotiations led to a two-month ceasefire allowing for the release of 33 hostages in exchange for the release of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid. However, discussions for a renewed ceasefire have collapsed, and Israel resumed military actions on March 18.
Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving with an elite infantry unit when he was captured amid a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. In a recent interview, his father questioned Netanyahu's strategy, asking how hostages could be freed without resolving the ongoing conflict or agreeing to a subsequent phase of negotiations.
Hamas has indicated willingness to release all remaining captives in exchange for a complete cessation of hostilities and an Israeli evacuation from Gaza. However, as tensions mount, Hamas has dismissed Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, which a senior Palestinian official revealed emphasized the disarmament of Hamas without a promise to end the conflict or withdrawal from Gaza.
Since Israel's resumption of its military offensive, estimates indicate that at least 1,630 individuals have been killed, pushing the total number of deaths in the protracted war to an alarming 51,000, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry.
The specific timing of when contact was lost was not clarified by Hamas, nor did they provide evidence to substantiate their claim. Israel has consistently stated that it aims to avoid targeting areas where hostages might be present. Hamas' spokesman Abu Obeida stated, "We announce that we have lost contact with the group holding soldier Edan Alexander following a direct strike on their location," adding that efforts to reconnect with them are ongoing.
Of the 251 hostages taken during the 2023 Hamas attack, 59 are still believed to be in Gaza, with 24 possibly alive, including five U.S. citizens. It is thought that Alexander might be the sole surviving American among them. Later developments saw Hamas releasing a video in which Alexander implores both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump to intervene for his release.
The Israeli proposal for a 45-day ceasefire implied the rapid release of hostages, with Alexander's release proposed as an initial gesture. Previous negotiations led to a two-month ceasefire allowing for the release of 33 hostages in exchange for the release of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid. However, discussions for a renewed ceasefire have collapsed, and Israel resumed military actions on March 18.
Alexander, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving with an elite infantry unit when he was captured amid a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. In a recent interview, his father questioned Netanyahu's strategy, asking how hostages could be freed without resolving the ongoing conflict or agreeing to a subsequent phase of negotiations.
Hamas has indicated willingness to release all remaining captives in exchange for a complete cessation of hostilities and an Israeli evacuation from Gaza. However, as tensions mount, Hamas has dismissed Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, which a senior Palestinian official revealed emphasized the disarmament of Hamas without a promise to end the conflict or withdrawal from Gaza.
Since Israel's resumption of its military offensive, estimates indicate that at least 1,630 individuals have been killed, pushing the total number of deaths in the protracted war to an alarming 51,000, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry.
