Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have told a closed meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee today that Hamas may soon release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, in a show of goodwill toward US President Donald Trump.
In leaked remarks picked up by Hebrew news outlets, Netanyahu is said to have told the committee that there is reason to believe that Hamas may release Alexander during Trump’s visit to the region this week, and welcomed the possibility.
Speaking to the Kan public broadcaster, officials present in the meeting say that Netanyahu sounded “optimistic” about the chance for Alexander’s release.
“These are very critical days,” he is said to have told the committee.
Channel 12 says Netanyahu also told the committee today that Israel has always supported the so-called Witkoff proposal, which provides for the release of some half of the living hostages in return for an extended truce, and would be pleased if it comes to fruition, but is also open to a narrower deal, including “symbollic releases” such as that of Alexander.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 11, 2025
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