Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that any future hostage negotiations with Hamas will continue “under fire,” even as preparations move forward for the release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander after nearly 600 days in captivity.
The statement came amid renewed efforts by the United States to advance a broader deal between Israel and Hamas that would include a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of additional hostages.
Netanyahu met in Tel Aviv with Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the region, as part of those efforts. Following the meeting and a phone call with Trump, Netanyahu authorized an Israeli delegation to travel to Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, but stressed that “negotiations will be conducted only under fire.”
“Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or to release terrorists,” Netanyahu’s office said, “but only to a secure corridor for the release of Edan.”
Alexander’s mother, Yael Alexander, arrived in Israel Monday afternoon and is expected to reunite with her son at the Re’im army base near the Gaza border following his release. She was accompanied on her flight from the United States by Adam Boehler, Trump’s special envoy for hostage response. A photo of the two was shared on social media.
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Adam Boehler with Yael Alexander on the flight to Israel ahead of Edan Alexander's release from Hamas captivity
(Photo: X)
In an interview with Channel 13, Yael Alexander said the United States is committed to securing the return of all Israeli hostages. “We must not rest and must not forget,” she said. “Every one of them must return home.” Addressing Netanyahu directly, she added: “He now has a window of opportunity to get the deal done. I believe he can.”
According to U.S. and Israeli sources, Hamas intends to release Edan Alexander at 6:30 p.m. Monday without preconditions, in what it described as a gesture to the United States. The move was arranged through direct negotiations between Hamas and American officials.
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A report in The Wall Street Journal noted that Israeli officials plan to send a delegation to Cairo following Alexander’s release to explore the next steps in potential ceasefire talks. The framework under discussion was initially proposed by Witkoff and has received support from both Israel and the U.S.
The process of Alexander’s return will involve multiple steps. Hamas is expected to hand him over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, after which he will be transferred to Israeli forces and taken to the Re’im base. From there, he will be flown to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for medical evaluation. Plans are also under consideration for Witkoff to accompany Alexander and his family to Qatar, where they may meet with President Trump. However, the meeting remains contingent on the successful completion of the release, and Trump is not expected to travel for it.
Back in Israel, officials confirmed that while the exact handover location inside Gaza is still unknown, a secure corridor has been coordinated to ensure Alexander’s safe return. His release comes amid heightened tensions, with Israel's security cabinet recently voting to expand the military offensive in Gaza, though execution of that plan has been temporarily postponed.
Meanwhile, the security Cabinet last week voted to expand Israel's offensive on Gaza and take control of more of the territory in the enclave, but had delayed the execution of the plan.