Updated on May 11, 2025, at 7:05 pm EST
Hamas said on Sunday that it would release Edan Alexander, a dual US-Israeli citizen and IDF soldier who was captured during the October 7 attack, and confirmed that it had been in direct talks with the US on a potential Gaza ceasefire deal and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.
“As part of the efforts being made by our mediator brothers to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days,” said Hamas official Dr. Khalil al-Hayya, according to Drop Site News.
“The movement has expressed a high degree of positivity, and the release of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US citizen, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach our people in the Gaza Strip,” al-Hayya added.
According to Axios, US envoy Steve Witkoff spoke with Alexander’s parents and told them he should be released soon. Israeli media is reporting that a Hamas official said Alexander would be released on Monday at noon.
President Trump confirmed the deal in a statement on Truth Social. “Hopefully, this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!” he said. The president thanked Egypt and Qatar and made no mention of Israel.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas would release Alexander “without any compensation or conditions as a gesture of goodwill toward the US.
“The US conveyed to Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of additional hostages, based on the original Witkoff framework—which Israel has already accepted,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The “Witkoff framework” refers to a temporary ceasefire deal the US and Israel tried to get Hamas to agree to after Israel ended the truce established by the agreement signed in January, which would have led to the release of all the hostages and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza if fully implemented.
Reuters first reported on Sunday that the US and Hamas were holding direct talks. The US previously held direct negotiations with Hamas, but they ended abruptly after a leak to the media, which was an effort by Israel to sabotage the talks.
News of the US-Hamas deal comes amid a series of reports that say President Trump is frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and may be looking to pressure him to agree to a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Israel’s Channel 12 has reported that Witkoff recently told the families of Israeli captives who remain in Gaza that the US “wants to return the hostages, but Israel is not ready to end the war.” He added that Israel “is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made.”
Israel has repeatedly rejected Hamas’s offer to release all remaining Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, and Netanyahu has said that freeing the hostages is not his priority. Israel has been demanding that any deal must include the disarmament of Hamas, but the US has reportedly backed down on that demand.
One less bargaining chip for the terrorists. The dumb thing is that Hamas thinks that action will make a difference with what ever plans trump has. It will not.
I am happy to announce that Edan Alexander, an American citizen who has been held hostage since October 2023, is coming home to his family. I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones. Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration! https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114491594957458207
Yes, just a wonderful man brimming with empathy. /s
Witkoff has got it wrong as it is Hamas who is prolonging the war by not laying down their arms and releasing all the hostages, Leaving Israel with no choice but to finish Hamas once and for all, or else Hamas will continue their terrorist activity without a thought as to the consequences of the good people of Gaza.
A nonsensical one-sided view of the conflict. Witkoff has it right.
It is definitely a one-sided mess that Hamas initiated and could stop at anytime by laying down their arms and releasing all the hostages. That offer has been on the table for 19 months. Israel had no choice but to respond in a very aggressive manner.
"Aggressive" manner means genocide.
The only thing Hamas prolongs is Palestine. 🇵🇸
God bless em!
You want God to give his blessing to a group of terrorists who started a war where over 50,000 people died? Nice.
Another moronic comment over-simplifying the conflict to "terrorists."
As Sherlock Holmes would say the simple explanation is often the correct one. Simple fact Hamas attack on Oct 7 cause Israel counter attack. No Oct 7, no destruction of Gaza. Simple.
Too simple. Do more study.
The term "counter attack" can only be used for so long as a description of what Israel has done since Oct 7th. And that time passed many thousands upon thousands of innocent lives ago. Genocide/ethnic cleansing/collective punishment or just plain slaughter, take your pick, they are all much more appropriate.
I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan. In addition to your daily genocide apologetics, you have Doyle inverted.
The variations on the quote include "Exclude the impossible and what is left, however improbable, must be the truth.", "When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." and so forth. This is restated by the Holmes character at least 4 or 5 times across the stories.
Holmes stories are interesting because the solutions are not at all Occam's razor. The expectation is that the solution will be somewhat complex and non-obvious.
Otherwise the stories would run less than a page. "There was a guy standing over the corpse with a bloody knife. He did it." That's more a description of Israeli/US policy than a AC Doyle tale.
No occupation = No resistance. Simple.
@knappster:disqus@peepsqueek:disqus@disqus_qhuce9v5DO:disqus@luisaldamiz:disqus@disqus_5AaJo0InJu:disqus@disqus_f6PBOsi4JJ:disqus@disqus_vwAk8WiLXD:disqus@disqus_vwAk8WiLXD:disqus@warsrus:disqus@warren_paine:disqus@disqus_KAfPEpsMYs:disqus@existentialdread:disqus@disqus_uyynZYVVXg:disqus@disqus_lbkuZ0DrY6:disqus
Yes!
No, God disowned Israel long ago. Well before it’s latest act of genocide.
Let the Sword of God fall swiftly on the necks of the blasphemers who use His name in vain. And God protect Palestine! 🇵🇸
Palestine is a geographical area, not a specific people. It has changed hands more than a Las Vegas gambler over the centuries.
The banner of Islam flies over 99.9% of the MENA region and you are just pisssed off that it is not 100%
Indigenous people living in the geographical region of Palestine, are Palestinians –Muslims, Jews and Christians.
@knappster:disqus@peepsqueek:disqus@disqus_qhuce9v5DO:disqus@luisaldamiz:disqus@disqus_5AaJo0InJu:disqus@disqus_qhuce9v5DO:disqus@disqus_f6PBOsi4JJ:disqus@disqus_vwAk8WiLXD:disqus@warsrus:disqus@warren_paine:disqus@disqus_KAfPEpsMYs:disqus@existentialdread:disqus@disqus_uyynZYVVXg:disqus@disqus_lbkuZ0DrY6:disqus
Palestinians were never any one specific people. They comprised of many different tribal groups living in relative harmony.
All that changed when white European settlers were forced on Palestine by the British creating a Zionist colony propped up by imperial powers.
Despite this the people of the land endure just as the oppressor’s regime is collapsing on the weight of it’s inner contradictions and abandonment of it’s patrons.
Palestine will finally be free within our lifetime.
Praise God!
The problem is you haven't finished Hamas off, and it's still inflicting casualties as we speak. Every time Israel escalated its oppression of the Palestinians, they grew in strength and tactics. Whether Israel wipes out Hamas or weakens it, something more formative will take its place. Regardless, Israel is screwed no matter what.
"Israel has repeatedly rejected Hamas’ offer to release remaining Israeli captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, and Netanyahu has said that…
…'Trump is gonna have a red dot the size of an israeli bazooka shell dancing on his fuckin' back if he thinks otherwise.'
Nah, that's US victimist narrative: Israel is subject under the US Empire and not vice versa. Israel will do as ordered or, at the extreme, be abandoned to its fate (extinction).
walp…I had a point…but evidently it didn't land.
A ceasefire for Hamas is a victory for Hamas and Israel cannot let that happen, or the cycle of violence from Hamas will continue as they have promised by saying that there will be more October 7's. Hamas stated ambition is to destroy Israel and replace it with an Islamic Republic.
You are advocating for the continuation of a genocide. You should be ashamed of yourself.
"should be ashamed of yourself."
nupe. in fact, starving children to death is his proud zionist duty…
…you didn't know that? it's true – israel actually awarded piss stain a new medal of honor – hangs from a blue and white ribbon: star of israel one side, skin-and-bone child corpse on the other…
…cried like a baby first time he put it on – cuz that's how proud being a true zionist makes him.
"should be ashamed of yourself."
nupe. in fact, for piss stain, starving children to death is a proud zionist duty…
…you didn't know that? it's true – israel actually awarded piss stain a new medal of honor – hangs from a blue and white ribbon: star of israel one side, skin-and-bone child corpse on the other…
…cried like a baby first time he put it on – cuz that's how proud being a true zionist makes him.
The population of Palestinians has increased nine times since 1948 and Israeli Arabs have the highest longevity in Israel than the rest of the Arab world. You can check out that data on any statistical website of your choice.
Don't let the facts change your narrative–sarcasm intended..
Doesn't preclude genocide which is a crime of intent. In this case exacted "in part" on the people of Gaza and heading towards the WB. As for those living in Israel, they are third class citizens. And even if the population is growing, that's just another nail in Israel's coffin. The Palestinians will eventually be more. One man one vote. No matter how you look at it, Israel is screwed.
"The population of Palestinians has increased"?
scary! – good move targeting women and children, but can't israel kill them faster?
No, I am advocating that Hamas lay down their arms and surrender for 19 months, instead of continuing this fiasco that they initiated on Oct 7th.
I know, they made you kill all those innocents. The fiasco has exposed Israel to the rest of the world. We've been trying to tell the world for decades that the Israelis are monsters. Thanks to Oct 7th the world now knows we were right. That alone is an irreversible factor weakening Israel.
@knappster:disqus@peepsqueek:disqus@disqus_qhuce9v5DO:disqus@luisaldamiz:disqus@disqus_5AaJo0InJu:disqus@disqus_f6PBOsi4JJ:disqus@disqus_vwAk8WiLXD:disqus@warsrus:disqus@warren_paine:disqus@disqus_KAfPEpsMYs:disqus@existentialdread:disqus@disqus_uyynZYVVXg:disqus@disqus_lbkuZ0DrY6:disqus
This is just idiotic. If Israel had been interested in either Hamas or the hostages or both, they would have sent the army in, worked the strip house by house and neighborhood by neighborhood and tunnel by tunnel to eliminate the terror units and their equipment and save both civilians and the hostages.
Instead of course they chose to bomb and pillage and destroy and ethnic cleanse …
So please, no more nonsense about “Hamas”
Bypassing Israel for the Second Time gives the signal US is started showing the middle finger to the criminal minister…!
While I don’t support US intervention of any type or size, there or anywhere else, I can think of worse things than the US negotiating a deal under which Hamas releases the remaining hostages and the US lets Israel know that it will be 1) directly landing humanitarian aid in Gaza, and 2) using US air defense systems, offshore and possibly onshore, to bring an end to Israeli strikes on Gaza, and that if Israeli troops get in the way of any of that it’s their ass.
Tom, you sure like to come up with some fantasies. This is one of your better one. You have to know that what you are proposing will never happen.
I didn't say it would ever happen; I just said that there are worse ideas.
'Corpse Stench' Burns: "Tom…fantasies…You have to know that what you are proposing will never happen."
Yea, c'mon, Tom! I mean – you have to know Corpse Stench is not humanly indifferent to inflicting mass death by starvation on children.
Cuz what kind'a empathy-devoid sicko would that make him?
Truth is, Corpse Stench is all broke up inside every time he sees one'a those pics. Probably.
Truth is, Corpse Stench is a realist, Tom – and, realistically, he knows Israel's strategy is working! Yea! Realistically, Hamas is clearly on the brink of laying down its weapons and coming out of its tunnels with its hands up…
…compared with yr silly fantasy of America having the power to somehow influence mighty Israel. Didn't thinka' that – didja? But ya are now, hm? 'At's right – if Israel can starve to death a whole population's children – like it was God, like it was the Angel of death itself – only imagine the awe-inspiring power the Zionist state could unleash on US!
'Corpse Stench' Burns: "Tom…fantasies…You have to know that what you are proposing will never happen."
Yea, c'mon, Tom! I mean – you have to know Corpse Stench is not humanly indifferent to inflicting mass death by starvation on children.
Cuz what kind'a empathy-devoid sicko would that make him?
Truth is, Corpse Stench is all broke up inside every time he sees one'a those pics. Probably.
Truth is, Corpse Stench is a realist, Tom – and, realistically, he knows Israel's strategy is working! Yea! Realistically, Hamas is clearly on the brink of laying down its weapons and coming out of its tunnels with its hands up…
…compared with yr silly fantasy of America having the power to somehow influence mighty Israel. Didn't thinka' that – didja? 'At's right – a dangerous fantasy, if ya ask me: cuz if Israel can starve to death a whole population of children – powerful as th' angel o' death his self – only imagine the awe-inspiring power the Zionist state could unleash on US!
I don’t buy any of the niceties unless there is an arms embargo against Israel.
We’ve been down this road before.
100%. All these self gratulations, "love and compassion" with huge celebrations to come are frankly sickening. Somewhat reminiscent of slavery days everywhere. They work the slaves half to death but then pride themselves when they dish out some socks and a chicken during holidays.
Here they commit genocide, kill close to a million but then strut around like peacocks how humanitarian and loving they are.
Fish in a barrel.
Witkoff: “[Israel] is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made.”
Translation:
Everywhere rubble and corpses, the remainder are starving and miserable, Hamas too weak for effective resistance—no, sir, no further “progress” is possible here, this is collective punishment by fiends.