Hamas Loses Contact with US-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander After Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

Hamas announced it lost contact with the group guarding Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier, after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Alexander, captured during the October 7, 2023, attack, is believed to be the last living US hostage in Gaza. Hamas released a video of Alexander under duress, signaling potential inclusion in a future release deal. Israel proposed a 45-day truce for hostages' release, which Hamas rejected. The situation in Gaza worsens with ongoing Israeli military operations and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Hamas Reports Loss of Contact After Israeli Strike

The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, stated on April 15 that it could no longer reach the unit holding Edan Alexander, who was captured during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. The group attributed the loss of contact to an Israeli bombardment that allegedly struck the location where Alexander was being detained.

“We announce that we have lost contact with the group holding soldier Edan Alexander following a direct strike on their location,” said Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades. “We are still trying to reach them at this moment.”

Hamas did not provide evidence to support the claim, nor did it specify when the contact was lost. The Israeli military has not commented on the specific strike but has consistently stated that it avoids targeting areas where hostages are believed to be held.

Edan Alexander: The Last Known Living US Hostage

Edan Alexander, born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey, was serving in an elite Israeli infantry unit when he was captured during the October 7 assault. He is believed to be the last living US citizen among the hostages still held in Gaza. On Saturday, Hamas released a video showing Alexander alive, though visibly under duress, pleading for help from US President Donald Trump and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The video was seen as a potential signal of willingness by Hamas to include Alexander in a future hostage release deal. His release had reportedly been proposed as a goodwill gesture on the first day of a new 45-day ceasefire plan recently offered by Israel. However, Hamas rejected the proposal, citing Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm without a commitment to end the war or withdraw from Gaza.

Hostage Numbers and Status

According to Israeli and international sources, 251 people were taken hostage during the October 7 attack. Of those, 59 remain in Gaza, and 24 are believed to be alive. Five of the remaining hostages are US citizens, with Alexander previously thought to be the only one still alive.

The figures have been corroborated by multiple outlets, including the Associated Press, BBC, and CBS News, citing Israeli officials and humanitarian organizations. The status of the remaining hostages remains a central issue in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Ceasefire Talks and Military Escalation

The announcement from Hamas comes amid renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza and stalled ceasefire negotiations. On Monday, Israel proposed a 45-day truce in exchange for the release of 11 hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. The proposal was relayed to Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Hamas responded by rejecting the disarmament condition, calling it a red line. A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not accept any deal that did not include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to hostilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to northern Gaza on Tuesday, reiterated that military pressure would continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled. “We insist that they release our hostages, and we insist on achieving all of our war objectives,” Netanyahu said.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, reported that more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, including over 1,600 since Israel resumed its offensive in mid-March. The United Nations has described the humanitarian conditions as the worst since the conflict began 18 months ago.

On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike hit the northern gate of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, killing a medic and injuring nine others. This followed a weekend strike on Al-Ahli Hospital, the last major facility providing critical care in northern Gaza, which was rendered “out of service” according to the UN.

Israel has defended its actions by alleging that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, a claim denied by both Hamas and hospital staff.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Pressure

The United States has made the release of Edan Alexander a top priority. In March, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized the administration’s commitment to securing his freedom. Negotiations involving US envoy Adam Boehler and Hamas leaders had previously centered on Alexander’s potential release.

French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in during a recent call with Netanyahu, urging a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Macron emphasized that the suffering in Gaza must end and that only a ceasefire could facilitate the safe return of captives.

Meanwhile, Hamas released a video on Tuesday warning the families of hostages that their loved ones would return “in black coffins” if Israel continued its military campaign. The message was widely interpreted as a psychological tactic aimed at increasing domestic pressure on the Israeli government.

References

• Hamas ‘lost contact’ with group holding Gaza captive after Israeli attack
• Edan Alexander: Hamas says it has lost contact with US-Israeli hostage in Gaza
• Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9 other people
• Israeli strike hits Gaza hospital 2 days after last major functioning health facility knocked "out of service"