By Said Amori
JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office claimed Sunday evening that the US informed Israel of Hamas’ intention to release Israeli-American soldier Idan Alexander as a gesture of goodwill to the US and “without any conditions or exchange.”
This came following an announcement by the Palestinian group Hamas, which said it plans to release Alexander after recent talks with the US administration.
“The US informed Israel that Hamas intends to release soldier Idan Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward the Americans, without any conditions or exchange,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
In its statement, Hamas said the planned release is part of broader efforts to achieve a ceasefire, reopen border crossings, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief to residents of the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s office further claimed that the move is expected to lead to negotiations over the release of additional captives based on the original proposal from US Middle East Envoy Steven Witkoff’s, which Israel previously approved.
There was no immediate comment from US or Palestinian officials regarding the statements.
The Israeli news site Walla quoted Israeli officials as saying that Tel Aviv is obligated to implement a temporary ceasefire to ensure the release of Alexander.
The Israeli daily Israel Hayom reported that the ceasefire is expected to last only a few hours.
It also claimed that Israel will allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza as part of the arrangement for Alexander’s release, which is expected to take place within the next 48 hours.
Citing an unnamed Israeli source, Israel Hayom said Tel Aviv will open border crossings to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza as part of the process, while also stating that no Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for Alexander.
Separately, Channel 13 reported that Israel is not a party to the agreement and was only notified after the deal had been coordinated.
Channel 12, citing an unnamed Israeli source, reported that recent days brought signs indicating that Hamas could release Alexander, though Israel was not involved in the negotiations.