Hamas Announces Loss of Contact with Group Holding Israeli-American Soldier in Gaza
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Tuesday that it has lost contact with the group responsible for holding Israeli-American soldier Idan Alexander, following an Israeli airstrike that directly hit their location.
In an official statement on its Telegram channel, the Al-Qassam spokesperson said:
“Our estimates suggest that the Israeli occupation is deliberately attempting to eliminate the burden of the dual-national hostage file, in order to continue its aggression and genocidal war against the Palestinian people.”
A few days earlier, Hamas had released a video of hostage Idan Alexander, who was captured during the October 7, 2023 attack. In the video, Alexander identifies himself and states that he has been held in Gaza for 551 days, pleading for his release and questioning why he is still in captivity.
The video was published during the Jewish celebration of Passover, in what observers have interpreted as a psychological and media tactic aimed at increasing pressure on the Israeli government.
Hamas has released several similar videos throughout the ongoing war, featuring hostages appealing for their freedom. Israeli officials, however, have dismissed these recordings as political propaganda intended to manipulate public opinion.
