Alexander to be released today, says Hamas
Abu Obaidah, spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, says the armed wing of Hamas has decided to release US-Israeli captive today.
Israel commits ‘only to a safe corridor’ to allow for Alexander’s release
Netanyahu’s office, in a post on X, says that “Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind” or the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Alexander’s freedom.
But Israel is committing “only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan”, it said.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office also claimed that Alexander’s release is being made possible due to Israel’s “vigorous policy” in Gaza as well as its “military pressure”.
“We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting,” it added.
‘Netanyahu choosing to murder my child’: Captive Matan Zangauker’s mother
Einav Zangauker, the mother of 25-year-old Israeli captive Matan Zangauker, has slammed Netanyahu for failing to secure her son’s release even as fellow US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander is set to go free.
“My Matan, a sick civilian who was kidnapped from his bed, is being held together with Edan Alexander,” wrote Einav Zangauker in a post on X. “Both of them are in the same dark tunnel without any other hostages.”
“If Matan is left alone in the tunnel, Netanyahu is choosing to murder my child – instead of freeing all the hostages,” she continued.
Addressing her son directly, she added, “I will pursue the Prime Minister for the suffering he is causing you, for the abuse he is inflicting on us – the families. He will be held accountable.”
In December, Hamas released a proof-of-life video of Matan, in which he described dire conditions in Gaza’s tunnels – surrounded by spiders and rats, suffering from skin ailments and clinging to hope for reunion with his family. He appealed to the Israeli public not to forget him.
Alexander’s family says ‘no hostage should be left behind'
In a message relayed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the family urged Israel to secure the release of all remaining captives “without delay”. “No hostage must be left behind,” the family said.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that Witkoff had called Alexander’s family to inform them of his release.
Alexander’s father, Ali, told the YNet news site that the family was “completely surprised to receive the call from Witkoff” and that “we knew about the negotiations but not about such a dramatic development”.
Captives’ families tell Netanyahu: ‘Time to be a leader and bring all captives home’
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the main group representing relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, is urging their government to seize the next 24 hours and pursue a broader deal to free all remaining captives.
This comes as Hamas prepares to release US-Israeli captive, Edan Alexander, following direct negotiations with Washington.
“The expected release of Edan shows that a determined leader is committed to his citizens,” the forum wrote, in an apparent reference to Trump.
Addressing Netanyahu, the group said: “Prime Minister, what about your commitment to the 58 remaining hostages? Will you choose to make history, bring everyone home, and allow Israeli society to heal? Or will you continue with delays and evasion of responsibility, at the cost of the collapse of the Israeli ethos, severe harm to the hostages, and the prevention of the ability to bring back the fallen?”
“Prime Minister, this is the time to be a leader,” the statement added. “Make the historic, right decision, and end the nightmare that Israeli citizens have been living for 584 days.”
