Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Hostage Release, Orders Negotiating Delegation to Doha Amid Ongoing Gaza Strikes
Despite Eidan Alexander’s Release, Netanyahu Vows to Intensify Gaza Assault and Insists Talks Will Continue Under Fire.
Watan-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced in a statement that he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, noting prior meetings with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
According to the statement, as published by Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his assistance in securing the release of Israeli-American soldier Eidan Alexander.
The statement added that Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Israel and expressed his desire to maintain close cooperation with Netanyahu. It also noted that the Israeli prime minister has instructed a negotiating delegation to travel to Doha on Tuesday, clarifying that negotiations will continue only under fire.
Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu had declared that Israel plans to intensify its military attacks on Gaza, even after Hamas’s expected release of Alexander.
The PM then spoke with US President Donald Trump and thanked him for the assistance in the release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander.
US President Trump, for his part, reiterated his commitment to Israel as well as his desire to continue the close cooperation with PM Netanyahu.
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— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 12, 2025
He reiterated in a statement that “negotiations will proceed under fire as Israel prepares to escalate the fighting.”
Meanwhile, Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed Alexander’s release on Monday.
The announcement was made by Al-Qassam spokesperson Abu Ubaida on his Telegram channel, as reported by Shehab News Agency.
