Israeli official: Hostage’s release secured thanks to military pressure on Hamas

An Israeli official claims in an anonymous statement to reporters that hostage Edan Alexander’s imminent released was secured thanks to Israel’s military pressure on Hamas.

“Hamas understood it must make a gesture to the Americans because this is the only way for it to try to prevent the expansion of the war,” the official says.

Appearing to respond to criticism from hostage families and the opposition that Alexander was being freed solely due to his American nationality, the official adds: “Thanks to the military pressure, Hamas agreed thus far to release most of our hostages, regardless of foreign passports. We will continue to do everything to return all of our hostages.”

The official says Israel will facilitate a safe corridor to get Alexander out of Gaza — presumably meaning halting fighting and reconnaissance flights in certain areas — but stresses that there is no ceasefire and that Hamas isn’t getting anything in return for the release. If Hamas agrees to an Israel-accepted proposal for a wider hostage deal, the expansion of the war will be postponed, the official adds.