NO CEASEFIRE IN GAZA DESPITE HOSTAGE BEING FREED

Cairo, Egypt - An Israeli-American hostage was released from Gaza after nearly two years in captivity Monday, but the brief pause in fighting quickly gave way to renewed Israeli strikes across the devastated enclave.

Edan Alexander, 21, was transferred to Israeli forces by the International Committee of the Red Cross after Hamas released him in what the militant group called a goodwill gesture ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's regional visit.

Emotional footage showed Alexander reuniting with his family at an Israeli military facility. "How strong you are. I love you so much, Edan. We were so worried," his mother Yael cried as she embraced him. Alexander, who appeared pale but in good spirits according to photos released by Israel, was later transported to a hospital by helicopter.

Israel's military operations paused briefly at midday to facilitate the hostage transfer, following Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement. However, Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes resumed shortly after Alexander's handover. An airstrike reportedly killed three people at a shelter for displaced families in Khan Younis, while tank shells struck a school housing displaced people in Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood, killing one woman and wounding several others.

Alexander was the last living American held by Hamas. Netanyahu attributed his release to Israel's continued military pressure in Gaza combined with political pressure from President Trump. In a photo taken aboard a military helicopter, Alexander was shown holding a sign reading: "Thank you, president Trump."

Despite this development, no broader ceasefire agreement or additional hostage release deals have materialized as humanitarian monitors continue to warn of famine conditions throughout Gaza after 19 months of conflict.

Netanyahu has explicitly ruled out any cessation of hostilities, stating, "Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind." His office confirmed that plans to intensify military action in Gaza would continue despite the hostage release.

After growing up in New Jersey, Alexander, who has dual citizenship, moved to Israel and was serving in the Israeli army when he was captured during Hamas' 2023 attack. Social media video on Monday showed people dancing in the square of his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, celebrating news of his release.

The release came after four-way talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar, potentially opening a path to freeing the remaining 58 hostages still held in Gaza. Both Qatar and Egypt described Alexander's release as an encouraging step toward new truce negotiations. Netanyahu's office announced that Israel will send a delegation to Qatar on Thursday to discuss proposals aimed at securing further hostage releases.

Before Alexander's release, Gaza health authorities reported that an Israeli strike killed at least 15 people sheltering at a school on Monday. Israel's military claimed it targeted Hamas fighters there who were preparing an attack.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitor, warned Monday that half a million people in the Gaza Strip now face starvation with a critical risk of famine by September.

President Trump is scheduled to visit Gulf states on a trip that does not include Israel, though special envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped arrange Alexander's release, was expected in Israel on Monday.

Alexander's family expressed gratitude to Trump and Witkoff while urging further action: "We hope the release would hasten the freeing of the remaining hostages. We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don't stop."

Israel's government has faced criticism over the deal, which some say reveals priority given to hostages with foreign government support. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among 21 hostages still believed to be alive, accused Netanyahu of choosing political survival over ending the war. In a statement read alongside other hostage families and addressed to Trump, she said: "The Israeli people are behind you. End this war. Bring them all home."

A previous ceasefire in late January halted fighting for two months and allowed the exchange of 38 hostages for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails before Israel resumed its military campaign in March.

Since then, Israeli forces have expanded their control over Gaza while restricting aid deliveries, leaving the territory's 2 million residents increasingly food insecure.

Israeli forces invaded Gaza following a Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Palestinian authorities report that over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent 19 months of conflict, with large portions of the densely populated territory reduced to rubble.