Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire or prisoner releases in exchange for the freeing of a US-Israeli hostage by Hamas.

The militant group said it would release Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli soldier held in Gaza, later today as it engages in direct ceasefire talks with Washington.

But Netanyahu – who has been directly accused by US officials of unnecessarily ‘prolonging the war’ – appeared to reject the sentiment.

‘Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan,’ he said.

‘We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages.’

He claimed Alexander had only been released due to ‘military pressure’ in the Gaza strip.

All future talks would continue ‘under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting’, according to the Prime Minister’s office. 

Israel restarted their assault on Gaza in March after a ceasefire brokered in January fell apart. No aid has entered the territory since March 2. 

Israel restarted their assault on Gaza in March after a ceasefire brokered in January fell apart

Hamas said it would release Edan Alexander, a US-Israeli soldier held in Gaza , later today

But Netanyahu claimed Alexander had only been released due to ‘military pressure’ in the Gaza strip

Last week Netanyahu said Israel now plan to capture the entire Gaza strip and leave troops there indefinitely.

The plan would see hundreds of thousands of Palestinians pushed to southern Gaza, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The UN rejected the plan, saying it would leave large parts of the population, including the most vulnerable, without supplies. 

Netanyahu’s approach has also seemingly created tension with the US, one of Israel’s strongest allies. 

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff recently told families of hostages held in Gaza that he disagrees with Israel’s approach to the war, according to Israeli outlet Channel 12.

‘Israel is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made,’ he said. 

‘Still, there is currently a window of opportunity that we hope Israel and all the mediators will take advantage of. 

‘We are putting pressure on all the mediators and doing everything to return the hostages.’ 

Last week Netanyahu said Israel now plan to capture the entire Gaza strip and leave troops there indefinitely if the hostages aren’t released

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff recently told families of hostages held in Gaza that he disagrees with Israel’s approach to the war

‘Israel is prolonging the war, even though we do not see where further progress can be made,’ he said

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 10 people were killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people

Israel’s military campaign in response to the attacks has killed 52,829 people in Gaza, with millions displaced

US President Donald Trump is due in the Middle East this week, visiting Saudia Arabia tomorrow before trips to Qatar and the UAE. 

This morning a Hamas spokesman confirmed they will release Alexander later today.  

A senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations with the US in Qatar told the BBC that the announcement was intended as a goodwill gesture before Trump’s arrival. 

The President said last night on social media: ‘I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen. 

‘This was a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators — Qatar and Egypt — to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.

‘Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict. I look very much forward to that day of celebration!’

To facilitate Alexander’s release, a ‘safe corridor’ will be established for his removal from the Gaza strip, according to a senior Israeli official.

They told Axios: ‘Hamas receives nothing in exchange for the release of Edan, and there is no ceasefire. 

‘If Hamas agrees to the Witkoff outline, the expansion of the war will be postponed in order to carry out the deal and release our hostages.’ 

To facilitate Alexander’s release, a ‘safe corridor’ will be established for his removal from the Gaza strip, according to a senior Israeli official

Trump said last night on social media: ‘I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen’

Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s assault in October 2023, 59 remain in the enclave, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive. 

Israel’s military campaign in response to the attacks has killed 52,829 people in Gaza, with millions displaced.

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 10 people were killed in an overnight Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people.

‘At least 10 (dead), including several women and children, as well as dozens of wounded, were transported following an Israeli airstrike on the Fatima Bint Asad school, which is home to more than 2,000 displaced people in the city of Jabalia,’ Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP.