Tue Apr 15 21:12:22 UTC 2025: ## Hamas Claims Israeli Airstrike Cut Contact with Captors of Israeli-American Hostage

**GAZA CITY** – Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced Tuesday that it has lost contact with the group holding Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. Spokesman Abu Obeida accused Israel of deliberately targeting Alexander, claiming the attack was an attempt to eliminate the hostage and alleviate pressure related to the ongoing conflict.

The announcement follows a video released by Hamas on Saturday showing a visibly distressed Alexander appealing to US President Donald Trump for intervention. While Abu Obeida didn’t specify Alexander’s location, a subsequent Qassam Brigades video warned the families of Israeli captives that their loved ones would be returned in body bags.

The potential death of Alexander, believed to be the last American hostage held by Hamas, casts a significant shadow over ongoing negotiations. Al Jazeera reports that Palestinians believe Alexander’s release was crucial for a negotiated settlement, providing leverage against Israel. His death, if confirmed, would severely undermine this leverage.

The incident comes amidst Israel’s intensified military offensive in Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of over 51,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive until all hostages are released and Hamas is demilitarized. France’s President Emmanuel Macron urged Netanyahu to end the suffering in Gaza and negotiate a ceasefire.

Despite an Israeli truce proposal, Hamas has signaled its rejection of demands for disarmament. The UN has meanwhile warned of a spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the situation as the worst in 18 months. The ongoing conflict and the uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s fate remain a major point of international concern.

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