Following the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a negotiation team will head to Doha on Tuesday to pursue another temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The decision came after Netanyahu spoke with former President Donald Trump and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who presented a new framework for securing the release of more hostages. Netanyahu emphasized that talks will proceed “only under fire,” with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continuing alongside negotiations.
In a video statement Monday night, Netanyahu credited Alexander’s return to the “combination of military pressure and diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump,” calling it a successful strategy.
However, the release has drawn mixed reactions within Israel. While many celebrated Alexander’s return, some families of non-American hostages voiced concern that U.S. citizens are being prioritized. Kibbutz Nir Oz, home to 14 of the remaining hostages, said it was “deeply moved” but criticized the apparent imbalance in treatment.
“A hostage with an American passport is given priority, while the other 58 hostages are left behind,” the kibbutz said in a statement. “The message being sent to Israelis and the world is clear: our lives are worth less.”
As Israel prepares for both renewed talks and continued military action, the fate of dozens still held by Hamas remains uncertain.
