No ceasefire with Hamas in exchange for release of Israeli-American hostage, Netanyahu says

Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or prisoner release with Hamas, but only to a safe corridor to allow the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

Israel was informed the day before about Hamas's decision to release Alexander, the last surviving American hostage, as a goodwill gesture towards President Donald Trump following quadrilateral talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar, foreign media wrote, according to the Telegraph.

The release, which could happen as early as Monday, could pave the way for the release of the rest of the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza, but Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue recently announced preparations to increase operations there.

"Negotiations will continue under pressure, amid preparations for an intensification of fighting," his office said in a statement.

On Sunday, Hamas said it had spoken with the United States and agreed to release Alexander, a move that key Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt called an encouraging step toward a return to ceasefire talks in the war-torn enclave.

The talks came shortly before Trump departs for a visit to the Persian Gulf that will not include a stop in Israel.

US officials have tried to "allay fears" in Israel about a growing distance between Israel and Trump, who last week announced the end of a US campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have continued to fire rockets at Israel.

Hostage families and their supporters in Israel have been pressuring the government to reach a deal to secure the release of those still held in Gaza, but Netanyahu has faced intense pressure from hardliners in his cabinet not to end the war.

Last week, he announced plans to accelerate the operation in Gaza, which officials said could be completely occupied by Israeli forces.Telegraph/