The Palestinian people in the war-torn Gaza Strip looks forward to an improved situation in the enclave particularly with the resumption of food supplies and medicines, after a deal was made between Hamas and the United States on hostage release.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a press statement that it released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander -- who has been captive in Gaza over the past 19 months -- from southern Gaza on Monday.
The deal came separate from the Israeli government, which was not involved in such a deal.
In a press statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades said the release of Alexander followed "contacts with the U.S. administration, as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach Gaza people in the Gaza Strip."
The people living in Gaza hold mixed views about the action.
"What's required from America is not just the release of the prisoner, Edan. What’s required is also an end to the war on Gaza, an end to support for Israel, and an end to the bombs. Every day, we die in Gaza from American bombs. We hope the support for Israel stops, and God willing, what's coming will be better than what we’ve lived through. May this war come to an end, for good," said Ibrahim Abu Ouda, a displaced person.
The agreement comes as Gaza faces dire shortages of food and medicine. Israel halted all aid deliveries on March 2 after a provisional ceasefire with Hamas expired, exacerbating conditions in the territory. Since resuming military operations on March 18, Israeli airstrikes have killed 2,749 Palestinians, and the total death toll is at least 52,862 people since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.
"I'm one of the people suffering here. Of course, I hope there's some glimmer of hope that this tragic situation we're living through will change. When I see my fellow people with food, water, and medicine, I feel happy. I rejoice in seeing them relieved. And we pray, God willing, that this is a good sign, and hopefully this time they'll be sincere and fix the situation," said Tulaat Hamdan, a displaced person.
"I'm pessimistic. There hasn't been a ceasefire in this two-year war that lasted more than a day. What is one day going to do for us, really? Then they're trading a prisoner just for food. No, I want to go home. I want to return to my land," said Izhaq Shabat, another displaced person.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar's Doha on Tuesday for talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, although the talks will take place "only under fire."
Israel has already declared that it will continue its war until it achieves its objectives, on top of which is eliminating Hamas, which has recently negotiated with the American administration without Israeli involvement.
Alexander is a U.S.-born soldier serving in the Israeli army, who was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, in a Hamas-led raid on southern Israel that resulted in the seizure of 251 people as hostages and the killing of about 1,200 others.
Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release
Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release
Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release
