The White House has accused Hamas of making “completely impractical” demands and delaying a deal concerning the release of a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for extending the Gaza ceasefire.
“Hamas is making a very poor decision by thinking that time is on its side. It is not,” stated an announcement from President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US National Security Council.
“Hamas is fully aware of the deadline and should understand that we will respond appropriately if that deadline is missed,” the statement continued, noting that Trump has already promised that Hamas would “face significant consequences” for not releasing hostages.
Earlier, Hamas indicated it was willing to release an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect negotiations regarding the Gaza ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office referred to the offer to release Alexander as “manipulation.”
“Hamas was informed clearly that this ‘bridge’ needs to be implemented promptly – and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander must be released immediately,” the announcement stated.
“Regrettably, Hamas has opted to respond by publicly asserting flexibility while privately setting demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire,” it added.
Israel has dismissed Hamas’s offer as “psychological warfare.”
Hamas mentioned that its exiled leader, Khalil Al-Hayya, was scheduled to arrive in Cairo later this evening for further ceasefire discussions with Egyptian mediators.
Since the temporary first phase of the ceasefire lapsed on March 2, Israel has declined to initiate the second phase of negotiations, which would require discussion of a permanent end to the conflict—the primary demand of Hamas.
Israel is pushing to extend the temporary first phase of the ceasefire, a suggestion supported by Mr. Witkoff. Hamas, however, insists it will only continue releasing hostages under the second phase.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office labeled the offer to release Alexander as “manipulation and psychological warfare.”
“While Israel has embraced the Witkoff proposal, Hamas remains firm in its refusal and has not moved an inch,” his office further noted, stating that he would convene with his cabinet on Saturday night to deliberate on the hostage situation and determine next steps.
Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza since the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire without an agreement to commence the second phase on March 2.
Mr. Witkoff told reporters at the White House in early March that securing Alexander’s release was a “top priority.” US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler has met with Hamas leaders in recent days to facilitate Alexander’s release.
Two Hamas officials informed Reuters that their agreement to release him and the four bodies was conditional on starting discussions regarding the second phase of the ceasefire, reopening crossings, and lifting the Israeli blockade.
“We are collaborating with mediators to ensure the agreement is successfully concluded and to compel the occupation to complete all stages of the agreement,” said Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua, a spokesperson for Hamas, to Reuters.
“Hamas’ willingness to release Edan Alexander is aimed at advancing the completion of the agreement’s phases,” Mr. Qanoua added.
Reflecting the precariousness of the ceasefire, Gaza medical officials reported that four Palestinians were killed by an Israeli airstrike in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City.
Palestinian media reported that the four men were collecting firewood for cooking in the absence of gas under the blockade. The Israeli military claimed it targeted several militants attempting to plant a bomb near its forces.
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The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been attempting to reconcile the differences between the Islamic militant group and Israel to resume negotiations aimed at releasing remaining hostages held in Gaza and lifting the blockade.
The conflict began when Hamas executed a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken, according to Israeli counts.
Israel’s subsequent assault on the Gaza Strip has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza health officials, reducing much of the area to ruins.
US, Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians from Gaza – report
In a related development, the US and Israel have initiated discussions with officials from three East African nations regarding the potential use of their territories for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, according to a report by the Associated Press, citing US and Israeli officials.
Officials from Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland were approached concerning the proposal, as per the Associated Press report based on information from US and Israeli officials.
Rubble of destroyed buildings seen in Jabalia in Gaza
However, Sudanese officials have rejected the proposal, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland claimed to be unaware of any discussions.
“I haven’t received such a proposal, and there are no discussions occurring regarding Palestinians,” stated Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan.
The White House and the US State Department did not immediately reply to Reuters’ requests for comments.
The information ministers for Somalia and its breakaway region of Somaliland did not respond to Reuters’ phone calls for comments.
Earlier this month, Arab leaders approved a $53 billion (€48 billion) Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza that would prevent the displacement of Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to Mr. Trump’s vision of a “Middle East riviera.”
Mr. Trump has suggested a US takeover of Gaza, where Israel’s military actions in the past 17 months have claimed tens of thousands of lives, intending to rebuild the devastated enclave, following earlier proposals for the permanent displacement of Palestinians.
Mr. Trump’s plan has amplified long-standing Palestinian concerns regarding permanent expulsion from their homes and received widespread international disapproval.
