Hamas armed wing says it misplaced contact with group holding Israeli-U.S. hostage Alexander

Individuals carry posters with footage of Edan Alexander, kidnapped throughout the October 7, 2023 assault on Israel by Hamas, as supporters of Israeli hostages participate in a protest and so they demand the discharge of all hostages within the 555 day because the kidnapping, in Jerusalem, on April 13, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

The armed wing of Hamas stated on Tuesday (April 15, 2025) it had misplaced contact with a bunch of militants holding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander within the Gaza Strip.

Abu Ubaida, the armed wing’s spokesperson, stated on the Telegram that it misplaced contact after the Israeli Military attacked the place the place the militants have been holding Mr. Alexander, who’s a New Jersey native and a 21-year-old soldier within the Israeli Military.

Abu Ubaida didn’t say the place in Gaza Mr. Alexander was purportedly held. The armed wing later launched a video warning hostages households that their “youngsters will return in black coffins with their our bodies torn aside from shrapnel out of your military”.

Additionally Learn | Israeli makes new Gaza ceasefire proposal however prospects seem slim, Hamas says will reply quickly

Hamas has beforehand blamed Israel for the deaths of hostages held in Gaza, together with as a direct results of navy operations, whereas additionally acknowledging on not less than one event {that a} hostage was killed by a guard. It stated the guard had acted in opposition to directions.

There was no speedy response from the Israeli navy to a request for touch upon the Hamas assertion about Mr. Alexander.

President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff advised reporters on the White Home in March that gaining the discharge of Mr. Alexander, believed to be the final residing American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, was a “prime precedence for us”.

Additionally Learn | Hamas says will free hostages if finish to Gaza battle assured

The Tikva Discussion board, a bunch representing some relations of these held in Gaza, had stated earlier on Tuesday (April 15, 2025) that Mr. Alexander was amongst as much as 10 hostages who may very well be launched by Hamas if a brand new ceasefire was reached, citing a dialog a day earlier between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the mom of one other hostage. There was no speedy touch upon that from Mr. Netanyahu’s workplace.

On Saturday (April 12, 2025) Hamas launched a video purportedly displaying Mr. Alexander, who has been held in Gaza since he was captured by Palestinian militants on October 7, 2023.

The discharge of Mr. Alexander was on the centre of earlier talks held between Hamas leaders and U.S. hostage negotiator Adam Boehler final month.

Additionally Learn | Israel controls 50% of Gaza after razing land to increase its buffer zone

Hamas launched 38 hostages beneath a ceasefire that started on January 19. In March, Israel’s navy resumed its floor and aerial offensive on Gaza, abandoning the ceasefire after Hamas rejected proposals to increase the truce with out ending the battle.

Israeli officers say that offensive will proceed till the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Gaza is demilitarized. Hamas insists it should free hostages solely as a part of a deal to finish the battle and has rejected calls for to put down its arms.