Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that Netanyahu made the promise directly to Witkoff. Channel 12 said Witkoff and US official Adam Boehler gave their word to Hamas, leaving Netanyahu little room to back out. The deal was clear: release Alexander, and aid would follow. But that aid never came.
On Sunday, Israel announced it would allow nine humanitarian trucks into Gaza. But only five had crossed. Gaza’s Government Media Office slammed the move as “a mockery,” saying the territory needs at least 500 trucks daily to deal with the ongoing mass starvation.
A senior Hamas official was the first to reveal the deal. "It was a promise,” said Dr. Basem Naim, a political leader in Hamas to Drop Site News. “Witkoff himself said aid would resume immediately. But they threw the agreement in the trash.”
Alexander was captured from an Israeli tank on October 7, 2023, during Al-Aqsa Flood military operation. He had served in the Israeli army and holds dual US-Israeli citizenship. His release last week was the first time Hamas freed a male Israeli soldier since the genocide began.
Hamas said the release was a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration. In return, they expected immediate humanitarian relief and progress toward a ceasefire.
Instead, Israel escalated its assault on Gaza.
The day after Alexander’s release, Israeli warplanes struck the European Hospital in Khan Younis. At least 28 people were killed. Israel claimed it was targeting Hamas military commander Mohammed Sinwar, though it presented no evidence.
Trump, speaking during a visit to the UAE, acknowledged the crisis. “A lot of people are starving,” he said. But Hamas dismissed his remarks. “We want action, not sympathy,” Naim said.
Gaza continues to suffer under a total blockade. The few trucks that Israel allowed in contained limited supplies, far below what’s needed. Medical centers report no fuel. Families are eating grass and drinking dirty water.
Trump’s team has pushed an alternative aid plan that bypasses Hamas and distributes food only in areas Israel controls. Aid groups warn the plan militarizes food and fails to meet emergency needs.
