Hamas’ armed wing says fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander unknown
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Mr Edan Alexander is a New Jersey native and a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army.
PHOTO: REUTERS
CAIRO - Hamas’ armed wing said on April 19 the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander was unknown after the group found the guard who was holding the hostage killed.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters at the White House in March that gaining the release of Mr Alexander, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, was a “top priority”.
Mr Alexander is a New Jersey native and a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army.
On April 15, Hamas said it had lost contact with a group of militants holding Mr Alexander
“The fate of the prisoner (hostage) and the rest of the captors remains unknown,” said Hamas armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades’ spokesman Abu Ubaida, blaming Israel for the killing of the guard and the fate of Mr Alexander.
“We are trying to protect all the hostages and preserve their lives… but their lives are in danger because of the criminal bombings by the enemy's army,” Mr Abu Ubaida said, reiterating an accusation that Israel's army is to blame for the killing of hostages in the enclave.
Israel has also accused Hamas of killing hostages in its custody.
There was no immediate comment by the Israeli army on Hamas’ statement.
The release of Mr Alexander was at the centre of earlier talks held between Hamas leaders and US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler in March.
Hamas released 38 hostages under a brief ceasefire that began on Jan 19.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza in March
The Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli attacks since then have killed more than 1,600 people.
Israel says its offensive in Gaza aims to release the remaining 59 hostages, while Hamas insists it will free hostages only as part of a deal to end the war and has rejected demands to lay down its arms.
Late on April 17, Mr Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ Gaza chief, said the movement was willing to swop all remaining 59 hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel in return for an end to the war and reconstruction of Gaza.
But he dismissed an Israeli offer, which includes a demand that Hamas lay down its arms, as imposing “impossible conditions”.
Israel has not responded formally to Mr Al-Hayya’s comments, but ministers have said repeatedly that Hamas must be disarmed completely and can play no role in the future governance of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to give a statement later on April 19.
Hamas on April 19 also released an undated and edited video of Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot.
Hamas has released several videos over the course of the war of hostages begging to be released.
Israeli officials have dismissed past videos as propaganda.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian local health authorities said Israeli military strikes have killed at least 92 people across the Gaza Strip in the past 48 hours.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct 7 attack on southern Israel
Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to the local health authorities. REUTERS
