Israel did not agree with any ceasefire or liberation of prisoners with Hamas, only with the safe “corridor” that allows the release of the Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (12).
Israel was informed a day before Hamas’s decision to release Alexander, the last surviving American hostage, as a gesture of goodwill to President Donald Trump after negotiations between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
Liberation, which may occur as early as Monday, can make way for the release of the remaining 59 hostages still kept in Gaza, but Netanyahu said the Israeli forces will continue recently announced preparations to intensify operations in the region.
“Negotiations will remain under pressure during preparations for intensification of fighting,” his office said in a statement.
On Sunday (11), Hamas claimed to be in negotiations with the US and agreed to free Alexander, a measure that the main Arab mediators, Qatar and Egypt, considered a step towards the return of ceasefire negotiations in the war-devastated enclave.
Negotiations occurred shortly before Trump’s visit to the Gulf, which will not include a stop in Israel.
American authorities tried to calm fears in Israel over a growing distance between Israel and Trump, which last week announced the end of the American campaign against the Houthis, supported by Iran, in Yemen, who continue to firing missiles against Israel.
Host hostage families and their supporters in Israel pressed the government to reach an agreement to ensure the liberation of those who are still arrested in Gaza, but Netanyahu has faced pressure on their cabinet not to end the war.
Last week, he announced plans to intensify the operation in Gaza, which, according to authorities, could be fully taken by Israeli forces.
This content was originally published in Israel does not commit to ceasefire, only hostage release on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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