Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire Despite Hamas Offer to Release Israeli-American Hostage

In a statement from his office, Netanyahu emphasized that negotiations to secure the release of all captives in Gaza would continue “under fire,” alongside preparations to escalate combat.

On Sunday, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced its plan to release Alexander, a dual Israeli-American soldier held in Gaza. The group also confirmed it was engaging in direct talks with the United States aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in the territory.

While no specific release date was given, Alexander’s family (he is 21 years old) said they were informed that his release is expected “in the coming days.”

Netanyahu declared that “Israel is not obligated to a ceasefire or to release terrorists. It is only committed to creating a safe passage that will allow for Aidan’s release.”

He added that the pledge to release Alexander only came “as a result of military pressure” in Gaza.

“These are decisive days during which a deal was presented to Hamas for the release of our hostages,” he said.

These developments follow statements by two senior Hamas officials who revealed that the group held direct talks with the United States in Doha, and that “some progress” had been made regarding the delivery of aid to Gaza and ceasefire negotiations.

Meanwhile, Israeli bombardment continues. Gaza’s civil defense reported that at least 10 people were killed early Monday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia, northern Gaza.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal told AFP: “Ten martyrs, including several children, were transported after Israeli warplanes struck the Fatima bint Asad School at approximately 2:30 a.m. (Jerusalem time). The school houses more than 2,000 displaced persons in the town of Jabalia.