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The United States has conveyed a message to Hamas through Qatari intermediaries in an effort to secure the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who remains in captivity in Gaza, Axios reported Thursday evening.
The move comes as negotiations for the release of hostages have stalled amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“There is no deal yet,” a US official stated, while an Israeli official described the proposal as “more an idea that isn’t fully clear or fully developed.” The message was reportedly passed to Hamas by Qatar as a diplomatic gesture to US President Donald Trump.
Dire Conditions in Captivity
Alexander, 21, was among the hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12 in early March, recently released hostages conveyed a sign of life from him, along with distressing details about his condition.
He is believed to be held in an underground tunnel, deprived of sunlight and fresh air, and suffering from severe malnutrition due to lack of food.
Efforts to secure his release gained urgency after the expiration of a hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on January 17, which saw 33 hostages freed. When the agreement lapsed on March 1, hostilities resumed, complicating further negotiations.
In mid-March, Hamas announced that it would release Alexander along with four deceased hostages. However, Israeli officials dismissed the statement as psychological warfare.
“While Israel accepted the [US Middle East envoy Steve] Witkoff framework, Hamas persists in its refusal and continues to wage psychological warfare against hostage families,” the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.
The Witkoff Framework
Steve Witkoff, a prominent American businessman and US Middle East envoy, has been at the center of diplomatic efforts to broker a deal. His proposed outline included Hamas releasing five living hostages and nine deceased hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire beginning March 1.
“Alexander is very important to us,” Witkoff said in early March. “He is wounded, and he is a top priority.” He also underscored President Trump’s commitment to the issue, stating, “An American is going to be a priority for him.”
Despite these efforts, Hamas has yet to agree to the terms, prolonging the ordeal for Alexander and other captives. The latest US message to Hamas, relayed via Qatar, signals renewed diplomatic pressure, though it remains unclear whether it will yield results.
As negotiations continue, families of the hostages, including Alexander’s loved ones, remain in anguish, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring their relatives home safely.