"No illusion of military pressure." Hamas confirms that prisoner Alexander was released through serious contacts with the Americans. On Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Alexander's release was due to military pressure, although Hebrew media confirmed that Tel Aviv was not involved in the deal. Hamas said in a statement: "The return of Idan Alexander is the result of serious contacts with the US administration and the efforts of mediators, and is not the result of Zionist aggression or the illusion of military pressure." She continued: "Netanyahu is misleading his people and has failed to recover his prisoners through aggression." The movement reiterated its assertion that "serious negotiations and a prisoner exchange deal are the way to return the prisoners (from Gaza) and stop the war." Alexander's release comes as part of negotiations between Hamas and the United States, with the participation of Egypt and Qatar, without any Israeli involvement, according to Hebrew media. The United States and mediators in Egypt and Qatar are pushing for a prisoner exchange agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza. Trump is on a visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, starting today and continuing through May 16. This is his first visit to the region since the beginning of his second term in January. Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 21 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,900 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports. With American support, Israel has been committing genocidal crimes in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 172,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.

On Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Alexander's release was due to military pressure, although Hebrew media confirmed that Tel Aviv was not involved in the deal.

Hamas said in a statement: "The return of Idan Alexander is the result of serious contacts with the US administration and the efforts of mediators, and is not the result of Zionist aggression or the illusion of military pressure."

She continued: "Netanyahu is misleading his people and has failed to recover his prisoners through aggression."

The movement reiterated its assertion that "serious negotiations and a prisoner exchange deal are the way to return the prisoners (from Gaza) and stop the war."

Alexander's release comes as part of negotiations between Hamas and the United States, with the participation of Egypt and Qatar, without any Israeli involvement, according to Hebrew media.

The United States and mediators in Egypt and Qatar are pushing for a prisoner exchange agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Trump is on a visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, starting today and continuing through May 16. This is his first visit to the region since the beginning of his second term in January.

Tel Aviv estimates that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 21 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 9,900 Palestinians are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

With American support, Israel has been committing genocidal crimes in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 172,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.