Hamas states that it will only free the American-Israeli hostage if the ceasefire agreement is fully implemented

Hamas announced on Saturday that it would only release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other captives if Israel fully implements the ceasefire agreement. The group described the offer as an “exceptional deal” intended to revive stalled truce negotiations.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed nine people, whom the military identified as militants. However, the UK-based Al Khair Foundation disputed this claim, stating that eight of those killed were its aid workers.

A senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously, outlined conditions for the hostage release, including the immediate start of negotiations for the ceasefire’s second phase, lasting no more than 50 days. The group also demanded an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt. Israel has firmly opposed such a withdrawal, citing security concerns over arms smuggling. Hamas further insisted on the release of additional Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages.

Edan Alexander, 21, who was abducted from his military base during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, is the last known living U.S. citizen held in Gaza. Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, of whom 35 are believed to be deceased.

At a protest camp outside Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv, families of the hostages accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning the captives. “You want to sacrifice our children for the pleasures of power,” said Itzik Horn, father of hostage Eitan and freed hostage Iair.

In response, Netanyahu’s office announced late Saturday that Israeli negotiators had been instructed to prepare for further talks on the hostage release.

Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, killed at least nine people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center reported that three Palestinian journalists were among the dead. Local health official Fares Awad identified one of them as Mahmoud Islim, who had been operating a drone.

The Israeli military claimed it had targeted two individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to its forces. A follow-up strike allegedly targeted a group collecting drone equipment. The military later released the names of six individuals it identified as militants, including one who had participated in the October 7 attack. It also claimed that two of the deceased, including Islim, were militants posing as journalists.

However, the Al Khair Foundation denied these allegations, asserting that eight of its aid workers were killed in the strikes. Hamas condemned the attack as a “serious escalation” and accused Israel of attempting to “sabotage any opportunity” for ceasefire implementation.

Additionally, the Israeli military announced the removal of a platoon of soldiers from Gaza after a video surfaced on social media showing them firing weapons during Purim celebrations. The military stated that the soldiers would face disciplinary measures.

Despite the ceasefire taking effect on January 19, sporadic Israeli strikes have continued, killing dozens of Palestinians whom Israel accused of entering unauthorized areas or engaging in militant activities. Meanwhile, the United States has proposed a temporary extension of the ceasefire to facilitate negotiations for a permanent truce.

However, U.S. officials accused Hamas of making “entirely impractical” demands in private while publicly claiming flexibility. Talks continued in Egypt, with Qatar and Egypt acting as mediators.

The second phase of the ceasefire agreement, initially scheduled to begin in early February, was supposed to involve Hamas releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting truce. The first phase saw 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others released in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also withdrew to a buffer zone and allowed an increase in humanitarian aid.

After the first phase ended, Israel reportedly agreed to a new U.S. proposal in which Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for a non-specific commitment to discuss a permanent ceasefire. Hamas rejected this offer.

Netanyahu held meetings with Israeli security officials on Saturday evening to discuss ongoing negotiations. His office later confirmed that negotiators had been directed to proceed with talks based on mediator responses to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal.

For the past two weeks, Israel has blocked the delivery of food, fuel, and other essential supplies to Gaza’s population of approximately two million people. A week ago, it also cut electricity to the territory to pressure Hamas into accepting the ceasefire proposal.

The city of Rafah, located along the Gaza-Egypt border, announced that it had run out of fuel needed to pump water from wells. Ahmed al-Sufi, head of the municipality, stated that the fuel shortages caused by Israel’s siege had forced the suspension of essential services, “threatening the lives of thousands.”

The war has devastated large parts of Gaza, displaced the majority of its population, and left nearly everyone dependent on humanitarian aid.