Israeli forces intensified airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 17 people at a school-turned-shelter, while rejecting a ceasefire for the release of US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander, set for today by Hamas.
The ongoing blockade, now in its 71st day, has killed at least 52,829 Palestinians and wounded 119,554, per Gaza’s Health Ministry, with the Government Media Office reporting over 61,700 deaths, including thousands presumed dead under rubble.
Hamas announced it will hand Alexander over to the International Committee of the Red Cross today, describing the move as a “goodwill gesture to the American administration to facilitate ceasefire negotiations and the entry of humanitarian aid supplies,” according to Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum in Deir el-Balah.
Hamas stated it will receive nothing in return.
Israel, while denying a ceasefire commitment, will provide a “safe corridor” and halt aircraft operations over Gaza starting at 09:00 GMT, per Israel’s Channel 12.
Opposition leaders criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the captive crisis.
Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid called US-Hamas talks a “disgraceful diplomatic failure,” stating, “The kidnapped are ours, and the responsibility for their return lies with the government,” as reported by Al Jazeera.
Benny Gantz urged Netanyahu “to fulfil his responsibility,” while Yair Golan of the Israeli Democratic Party called Alexander’s release, tied to his US citizenship, “a disgrace and humiliation.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum pressed Netanyahu to secure all 58 remaining captives, stating, “Prime Minister, this is the time to be a leader... Make the historic, right decision, and end the nightmare that Israeli citizens have been living for 584 days.”
Meanwhile, UNRWA described Gaza’s crisis as “beyond imagination,” with “air strikes, blockades, and starvation” devastating displaced families amid collapsing infrastructure.