Fears are rising for Edan Alexander, the final residing U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, after Hamas stated it misplaced contact with the group holding him following Israeli strikes on the world they have been primarily based in.
“We are still trying to reach them,” Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ army wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated in an announcement Tuesday, including that that they had come below “direct bombardment” from Israel. As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether or not that had modified.
Alexander, who grew up in New Jersey, was doing voluntary service with Israel’s army when he was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 together with round 250 others. Israeli officers say 1,200 individuals have been killed through the Hamas-led terror assaults, marking a significant escalation in a decadeslong battle.
Greater than 51,000 individuals have been killed within the Israeli assault on Gaza since then, in accordance well being officers within the enclave, which has been run by Hamas since 2007.
Alexander is one in every of at the very least 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, in line with Israeli officers say stay held in Gaza, though lower than half are believed to be alive.
His household didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. However after Hamas launched a video of him, doubtless talking below duress, on Sunday, his father, Adi Alexander, expressed fears for his son.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which represents the households of these held captive in Gaza, declined to touch upon Hamas’ declare. The group has beforehand expressed fears that the Israel’s army offensive imperiling the protection of hostages held within the enclave.
Hamas stated in March that it was prepared to launch Alexander, in addition to the our bodies of 4 dual-nationals, however wished to start negotiations to begin the second section of a three-part ceasefire cope with Hamas.
Talks for a everlasting finish to the combating have been supposed to start after the primary section ceasefire deal — wherein Hamas launched 25 residing hostages and the our bodies of eight in trade for round 1,800 of Palestinian prisoners — ended on March 1.
However Israeli forces shattered the delicate truce final month and has since launched airstrikes on the enclave whereas additionally resuming army floor operations.
In the meantime, Netanyahu, who has proven little signal that he’s prepared to finish the battle made a visit, to northern Gaza on Tuesday, together with a bunch that included his Protection Minister Israel Katz.
Calling on Hamas to launch the hostages, his workplace quoted him as saying that the militant group would “suffer more and more blows,” till they have been freed.
The go to got here as he faces mounting strain from the Israeli public, together with former members of Israel’s Mossad intelligence company and army, to conform to an finish of the hostilities.
