Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Monday that Israel is only committed to establishing a safe corridor for the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. In a statement from his office, he stressed that no broad ceasefire or prisoner exchange deal with Hamas has been agreed.
"We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages. The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting," the statement said.
Netanyahu's comments highlight a high-stakes approach: focusing on securing the freedom of individual hostages while military operations in Gaza proceed. Safe corridors—humanitarian routes allowing civilians or specific individuals to exit conflict zones—are often seen as lifelines in war-torn areas, though they carry risks if fighting escalates.
By drawing a line at a single hostage corridor, Israel underscores its reluctance to pause broader operations. For global citizens tracking the crisis, this stance signals that while dialogues for individual releases continue, the overarching military strategy remains unchanged.
As talks press on under fire, the world watches closely. The success or failure of this corridor could shape future negotiations, influence regional stability, and test the efficacy of narrow humanitarian initiatives amid intense conflict.
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Israel says only committed to safe corridor for release of hostage
cgtn.com
