Report: Hamas rejects Israeli ceasefire proposal, claims lost contact with Edan Alexander

According to a report at CNN today (Tuesday), Hamas has rejected the latest Israeli proposal for a temporary ceasefire and a release of hostages. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida also said a short time ago that they have "lost contact" with American hostage Edan Alexander following an IDF air strike.

According to CNN, the proposal included the release of American citizen Alexander as a "special gesture" to the United States and a show of goodwill. The general framework of the agreement would include the release of an additional nine hostages in two stages (about 20-25 hostages are believed to still be alive) and 16 slain hostages into Israel.

In exchange, Israel would cease fire for 45 days, release 120 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,100 Palestinians who have been detained since October 7.

According to multiple Hamas sources, Israel's conditions such as the group's disarmament in exchange for a ceasefire are not open to negotiation, even though they claimed they would examine the proposal "responsibly." Hamas has also not budged from its consistent demand that Israel fully withdraw from Gaza, end the war, and allow the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip under Hamas control as a condition for releasing the remaining hostages.

Hamas' claim regarding Alexander has not been verified from any other source, and the terrorist group has made such claims of "losing contact" before without there being a basis for it.