TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel is steadfast in rejecting a ceasefire or the release of Palestinian prisoners with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, May 12, 2025, ahead of the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander.
A source familiar with the situation said the release of Alexander, the last surviving American hostage held in Gaza, was expected on Monday, a day after Israel was informed of Hamas's decision to do so as a gesture of goodwill to President Donald Trump.
The release, following four-way talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, could pave the way for the release of the remaining 59 hostages still held in Gaza.
However, as reported by Channel NewsAsia, Netanyahu stated that Israel only agreed to allow safe passage for Alexander and his troops will continue their recently announced preparations to intensify operations there.
"The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting," his office said in a statement, adding that military pressure had forced Hamas to make the release.
Unexpected news on negotiations between Hamas and the United States emerged shortly before Trump was scheduled to leave for a visit to Gulf states, without stopping in Israel.
On Sunday night, Hamas said it had been in talks with the US and had agreed to release Alexander — a move described by major Arab mediators, Qatar and Egypt, as an encouraging step toward the return of ceasefire negotiations in the war-torn enclave.
In a statement, Alexander's family thanked Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. They hoped the decision would pave the way for the release of other hostages, of which only 21 are believed to still be alive.
"We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams, please don't stop," they added.
U.S. officials have sought to reassure Israel about the increasing distance between Israel and Trump. Last week, he announced the end of the US campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen despite continuing to launch missiles at Israel.
The families of the hostages and their supporters in Israel have urged the Netanyahu government to reach a deal to ensure the release of those still being held in Gaza. However, Netanyahu faces heavy pressure from far-right extremist groups in his cabinet not to end the war.
Last week, he announced plans to intensify operations in Gaza, which officials said could be fully seized by Israeli forces. Nevertheless, he postponed the plan until Trump finished his visit.
Following a ceasefire agreement that halted the fighting in Gaza for two months and allowed the exchange of 38 hostages with Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails, Israel resumed its operations in the enclave in March.
Since then, Israel has expanded its control over the territory, clearing about a third of what it has described as a "security zone," and blocking aid to enter Gaza, leading to 2 million Palestinian residents suffering from hunger.
The newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, outlined a plan last week for a new aid delivery system by private contractors that would not be run by Israel. However, many details remain unclear, including who will provide the funding.
Most of Gaza's territory was destroyed about 19 months after Israeli forces invaded the area in retaliation for Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 being taken hostage.
Since then, more than 52,800 Palestinian residents have been killed, mostly women and children. Almost the entire population has been displaced multiple times due to the ongoing Israeli battles and bombings. These attacks have destroyed much of the enclave.
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