Hamas insists that the American-Israelí hostage will only be released if the fire is implemented

Hamas’ terrorist group said Saturday that it will only be launched Israelí-American Rosherent Edan Alexander if Israel implements the high fire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Alexander, 21, is the last American hostage in captivity in Gaza’s strip.

A high Hamas official told The Associated Press that long -standing conversations about the second phase of the high fire would need to start the day of the launch and last no more than 50 days. Israel would also need to stop prohibiting the entry of humanitarian aid and withdrawing from a strategic corridor along the Gaza border with Egypt.

Hamas called him an “exceptional agreement” destined to route the truce again, according to the official, who spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity.

After Trump’s threat, Hamas refuses to release more hostages without the high fire agreement of phase 2

Hamas also demands the release of more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, said the official.

Hamas agreed on Friday to free Alexander along with the bodies of four hostages after an agreement offered by the mediators. Now he has remained captive for 526 days until Saturday, the hostages and the missing families forum said.

It occurs when the conversations are ongoing in Qatar to establish the following phase of the high the fire of Israel-Ahamas, whose first phase ended on March 1.

Steve Witkoff’s office, special envoy of the Middle EastAnd the National Security Council said in a joint statement that “President Trump has made it clear that Hamas will release the hostages immediately or pay a severe price.”

Witkoff and Eric Trager, senior director of the National Security Council for the Middle East and Africa of the North, presented a proposal of “bridge” to extend the high fire beyond Ramadan and Easter and give time to negotiate a frame for a high permanent fire.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to call his ministerial team on Saturday to receive a detailed report from the negotiators and decide the next steps for the release of hostages.

Meanwhile, several demonstrations are expected to be carried out throughout Israel on Saturday to demand that all the remaining 59 hostages be released, the hostages and the missing families forum said. The main manifestations will take place in Tel Aviv, Sha’ar Hanegev Junction, Carmei Gat and Jerusalem.

Although most of his life passed in New JerseyAlexander was born in Israel a few months before his parents move to the United States, according to the American Jewish committee (AJC).

After graduating from high school, Alexander decided that he would be prepared in the Israel Defense Forces (FDI) instead of enrolling at the university.

On October 7, Alexander, who was serving in the Golani Brigade of the FDI, an infantry unit, patrolled near Gaza when Hamas attacks against Israel began. The attacks ended with 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 hostages taken, including Alexander.

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Yael Alexander, Edan’s mother, said the day she was taken hostage in a recent interview with “People of the Pod” by AJC. Yael was in Israel in early October 2023, visiting his family and hoping to see Edic. On the morning of October 7, she spoke with Edan, who said she was seeing “terrible things,” but he assured him that he was safe. Then he was taken hostage.

On November 30, 2024, more than a year after Alexander was captured, Hamas released a video of Alexander speaking in Hebrew and Arabic. Alexander, like other hostages forced to make propaganda videos, delivered messages about Netanyahu and the then elected president Donald Trump.

Yael Rotem-Kuriel de Fox News, Trey Yingst, Rachel Wolf and Stephen Soreace, as well as Associated Press, contributed to this report.