Jerusalem confirms no ceasefire agreement, insists military operations in Gaza will continue despite U.S.-brokered efforts to secure hostage release.
By Joe D
JERUSALEM, May 12 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday dismissed reports of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, clarifying that the government had only agreed to establish a temporary safe corridor to facilitate the release of Edan Alexander — a 21-year-old Israeli-American hostage held in Gaza.
The announcement came after Hamas informed U.S. and Arab mediators that it was prepared to unconditionally release Alexander as a goodwill gesture towards President Donald Trump, following a month-long backchannel initiative between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas leadership in Qatar.
“This is not a ceasefire. It’s a one-time humanitarian measure to ensure the return of one of our citizens,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “The IDF will continue its preparations for intensified operations in Gaza. Negotiations will proceed under fire.”
Also Read: Tom Brady’s Ex Gisele Bündchen Reveals New Baby in Touching Instagram Comeback
Third-Party Diplomacy and American Pressure
The development was made possible by a covert backchannel facilitated by a non-governmental mediator who passed messages between Hamas and Witkoff. According to sources close to the talks, the U.S. envoy urged Hamas to release Alexander without conditions to build trust and potentially lay the groundwork for broader ceasefire negotiations.
Despite initial resistance, Hamas reportedly agreed to release Alexander after warnings that Israel was preparing a major military escalation. Over the weekend, Hamas located Alexander — who had appeared in a propaganda video last month but was allegedly “lost” in the chaos of Israeli airstrikes — and informed Qatar’s prime minister of their decision to proceed with the release.
“Releasing Edan Alexander is a step forward, but it’s only meaningful if it opens a path toward resolving this conflict with dignity for both sides,” said a U.S. State Department official familiar with the matter.
BREAKING: Edan Alexander, the last living Israeli-American hostage in Gaza, will be released as part of ceasefire efforts, says Hamas. https://t.co/TC2ROCL7wW
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 11, 2025
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/vqGE7LRJnB
Trump’s Gulf Visit and Regional Implications
President Trump is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia Monday as part of a Gulf tour that will also include stops in Qatar and the UAE — notably excluding Israel. The timing of Alexander’s potential release adds geopolitical weight to Trump’s visit and may be used to bolster his standing as a dealmaker in the region.
Hamas has reportedly conveyed interest in working with the Trump administration to negotiate a long-term ceasefire with security guarantees, though it continues to resist Israel’s demand for full disarmament. The group has, however, signaled willingness to relinquish control of Gaza to a neutral technocratic body.
Israeli Cabinet Pressure and Ongoing Military Campaign
Netanyahu’s government remains divided, with families of hostages urging negotiations, while hardline ministers oppose any deal that might leave Hamas intact. Israel has maintained that the release of any hostages will not come at the cost of halting its military campaign or releasing Palestinian prisoners.
While Netanyahu has expressed conditional support for the “Witkoff proposal” — which outlines the release of half the remaining hostages in exchange for a limited truce and talks on a permanent ceasefire — previous attempts at such agreements have faltered under pressure from his coalition allies.
Hamas, burned by Israel’s previous disengagement from negotiations, is now demanding guarantees such as a U.N. Security Council resolution to ensure future talks are honored.
A Fragile Opportunity
The release of Edan Alexander, expected as early as Monday, is being viewed as a pivotal moment. Whether it leads to broader de-escalation or becomes a fleeting humanitarian gesture depends on how both sides navigate the pressure from international allies, internal factions, and public opinion.
“This release could be a turning point — or just another pause in a tragic cycle,” said Dr. Rami Nasser, a conflict resolution expert at Tel Aviv University.
