Jerusalem: Hamas’ armed wing announced on Saturday that the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander is currently unknown, following the death of the guard assigned to watch over him.
Alexander, 21, is a dual citizen from New Jersey and serves as a soldier in the Israeli military. He is believed to be the last known living American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had previously emphasized in March that securing Alexander’s release remained a “top priority” for the United States.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Hamas, contact was lost with the group responsible for holding Alexander after an Israeli military strike targeted their location in Gaza.
“The fate of the prisoner and the rest of the captors remains unknown,” said Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades, blaming Israel for the death of the guard and the uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s condition.
“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,” Abu Ubaida added, reiterating claims that Israeli airstrikes were responsible for the deaths of hostages.
Israel, meanwhile, has also accused Hamas of killing hostages while in captivity. The Israeli military has not issued a response to the latest statement from Hamas.
Efforts to secure Alexander’s release were reportedly central to discussions between Hamas officials and U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler last month. In a previous ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, Hamas released 38 hostages.
Ceasefire Talks and New Conditions
Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza in March following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach an agreement. Since the offensive resumed, the Gaza health ministry claims more than 1,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes.
While Israel states its current operation is focused on securing the release of the remaining 59 hostages, Hamas continues to insist that hostages will only be freed in exchange for an end to the war and the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction.
On Thursday, Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief in Gaza, offered to release all remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and an end to the conflict. However, he rejected an Israeli proposal that required Hamas to disarm, calling it an offer with “impossible conditions.”
Though Israel has not formally responded to Al-Hayya’s remarks, government ministers have repeatedly maintained that Hamas must be completely disarmed and excluded from any future governance of Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to issue a statement later on Saturday.
Propaganda and Ongoing Strikes
In a related development, Hamas released an undated and edited video featuring Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot. The group has periodically circulated hostage videos throughout the conflict. Israeli officials have consistently dismissed them as propaganda.
Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials reported that at least 92 people have been killed across the Gaza Strip in Israeli airstrikes over the past 48 hours.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’ assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli military campaign, according to local health authorities.
